Cancer cells of Hurthle

Description

Hurthle (HEERT-luh) cell cancer is a rare cancer that affects the thyroid gland.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. It secretes hormones that are essential for the regulation of the metabolism of the body.

Cancer cells of Hurthle also called cell carcinoma, Hurthle or oxyphilic cell carcinoma. This is one of several types of cancer affecting the thyroid.

This type of cancer can be more aggressive than other types of thyroid cancer. Surgeryand to remove the thyroid gland is the most common treatment.

Symptoms

Cancer cells of Hurthle do not always cause symptoms, and are sometimes detected during a physical exam or imaging test done for another reason.

When they do occur, signs and symptoms may include:

  • A lump in the neck, just below the Adam's apple
  • Pain in the neck or throat
  • Hoarseness or voice changes
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty swallowing

These signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have the cells of Hurthle cancer. Can be signs of other medical conditions such as inflammation of the thyroid gland, or an enlarged thyroid (goiter).

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the signs or symptoms that worry you.

Causes

It is not clear what causes the cancer cells of Hurthle.

This type of cancer starts when cells in the thyroid gland develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes in the DNA, which doctors call mutations, tell the thyroid gland, the cells grow and multiply quickly. The cells develop the ability to continue living, when other cells naturally die. The accumulating cells form a mass called a tumor that can invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Risk factors

The factors that increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer include:

  • The fact of being a woman
  • Be greater
  • Have a history of radiation treatments to the head and neck
  • Having a family history of thyroid cancer

Complications

The possible complications of cancer cells, Hurthle include:

  • Problems with swallowing and breathing. That can happen if the cancer grows and presses on the tube (esophagus) and the trachea (windpipe).
  • The spread of cancer. Hurthle cell cancer can spread (metastasize) to other organs and tissues, making the treatment and recovery more difficult.

Hurthle cell cancer

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose cancer cells, Hurthle include:

  • Physical exam. Your health care provider will examine your neck, checking the size of the thyroid gland and see if the lymph nodes are swollen.
  • Blood tests. Blood tests may reveal changes in the function of the thyroid to give your supplier for more information about his condition.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests, including ultrasound and CT, can help your provider to determine if the growth is present in the thyroid.
  • The examination of the vocal cords (laryngoscopy).In a procedure called a laryngoscopy, your healthcare provider can visually examine his voice cables through the use of a light and a small mirror to look at in the back of your throat. Or your provider may use the fiber-optic laryngoscopy. This involves the insertion of a thin flexible tube with a small camera and light through the nose or the mouth and in the back of your throat. Then the doctor can see the movement of the vocal cords to speak. This procedure may be recommended if there is a risk that the cancer cells have spread to the vocal cords, such as, for example, if you have changes in the voice that are relative.
  • Extraction of a sample of thyroid tissue for testing (biopsy). During a thyroid biopsy, a thin needle is passed through the skin of the neck, guided by ultrasound images. The needle is attached to a syringe, which removes a sample of tissue from your thyroid gland. In a laboratory, the sample is examined for signs of cancer by experts trained in the analysis of the blood and the tissue of the body (pathologists).

The examination of the vocal cords (laryngoscopy). In a procedure called a laryngoscopy, your healthcare provider can visually examine the vocal cords through the use of a light and a small mirror to look at in the back of your throat. Or your provider may use the fiber-optic laryngoscopy. This involves the insertion of a thin flexible tube with a small camera and light through the nose or the mouth and in the back of your throat. Then, your doctor can see the movement of the vocal cords to speak.

This procedure may be recommended if there is a risk that the cancer cells have spread to the vocal cords, such as, for example, if you have changes in the voice that are relative.

Treatment

Treatment for Hurthle cancer cells usually involves surgery to remove the thyroid. Other treatments may be recommended, depending on your situation.

Surgery

Total or near-total removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) is the most common treatment for cancer of the cells of Hurthle.

During thyroidectomy, the surgeon removes all or nearly all of the thyroid gland and the small leaves edges of thyroid tissue near the small adjacent glands (parathyroid glands) to reduce the possibility of damage. The parathyroid glands regulate the body's calcium level.

The lymph nodes may be removed if there is suspicion that the cancer has spread to them.

The risks associated with thyroidectomy include:

  • Injury to the nerve that controls the voice box (recurrent laryngeal nerve), which could cause temporary or per- manent hoarseness or loss of voice
  • Damage to the parathyroid glands, which may require medication to regulate the levels of calcium in the blood
  • Excessive bleeding

After the surgery, your doctor will prescribe the hormone levothyroxine (Synthroid, Unithroid, and others) to replace the hormone produced by the thyroid gland. You will have to take this hormone for the rest of your life.

Radioactive iodine therapy

Radioiodine therapy involves swallowing a capsule that contains a radioactive liquid.

Radioactive iodine therapy may be recommended after surgery, as it can help to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue, which can contain traces of cancer. Radioactive iodine therapy may also be used if Hurthle cell cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Temtemporary side effects of radioactive iodine therapy may include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Decline of taste sensations
  • Neck tenderness
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. During the radiation therapy, which is placed on a table, and a machine that moves around it, the delivery of radiation to specific points in the body.

Radiation therapy may be an option if cancer cells remain after surgery and treatment with radioactive iodine or if Hurthle cell cancer spreads.

Side effects may include:

  • Sore throat
  • Sunburn-like skin rash
  • Fatigue

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug treatments the use of drugs that attack specific weaknesses within the cancer cells. Targeted therapy may be an option if your Hurthle cell cancer comes back after other treatments or if it extends to distant parts of the body.

The side effects depend on the particular drug, but may include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver problems

Targeted drug therapy is an active area of cancer research. Doctors are studying many of the new drugs for targeted therapy for use in people with thyroid cancer.

Coping and support

A diagnosis of cancer cells, Hurthle can be a challenge. Many people feel stressed and anxious. With the time you're going to find strategies to cope with the situation. Until then, here are some ideas that may help:

  • Find someone to talk to. You can feel comfortable talking about your feelings with a friend or family member, or you may prefer formal meeting with a support group. Support groups for family members of cancer survivors are also available.
  • We're going to help people. Treatments for cancer can be exhausting. Let friends and family know what would be most useful to you.
  • Set reasonable goals. Having goals helps you feel in control and can give you a sense of purpose. But choose goals that you can achieve. Write down a list of priorities for each day and recognize that you can't do everything.
  • Conserve your energy. Recognize that you can say no to the demands and expectations that will reduce your energy. Save your energy to do the things that are most important to you.
  • Take time for yourself. Eat well, relax and get plenty of rest can help to combat the stress and fatigue of cancer.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by making an appointment with your health care provider if you have signs and symptoms that worry you.

If cells of Hurthle cancer is suspected, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of thyroid disorders (endocrinologist) or a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer (oncologist).

Because appointments can be brief, it is often helpful to get well prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.
  • Make a list of all your medications, including prescription drugs and medicines that are available without a prescription, as well as any vitamins or supplements that you take.
  • Gather information about your family health history, including diseases of the thyroid and other diseases that run in your family.
  • Ask a relative or friend with you to help you remember what your provider tells you.
  • Write questions to ask their provider.
  • Ask how to access your provider's online patient portal so that you can see what the provider has written in the clinical history. There may be some technical terminology, but it can be helpful to review what was shared during your appointment.

Questions andour doctor

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms? There are other possible causes?
  • What kinds of tests do I need? Does not require special preparation?
  • What treatments are available, and what side effects can I expect?
  • What is my prognosis?
  • How many timesin will I need follow-up visits after completion of the treatment?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • What happens if I decide not to have treatment?

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider will ask a number of questions. Be prepared to answer them you can let go the more points you want to spend more time. You may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms? Have been continuous or occasional?
  • The symptoms got worse?
  • Do you have a ppersonal or family history of cancer? What kind?
  • Have you ever received radiation therapy to the head or neck?
Symptoms and treatment of the cancer cells, Hurthle