Iodine Therapy for Thyroid CancerProblem: Thyroid Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cells growing in the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly – shaped gland in the neck that creates hormones to regulate body conditions. Thyroid Cancer is believed
Iodine Therapy for Thyroid CancerProblem: Thyroid Cancer is a disease caused by abnormal cells growing in the thyroid gland, which is a butterfly – shaped gland in the neck that creates hormones to regulate body conditions. Thyroid Cancer is believed to be an uncommon cancer, despite having 56,870 cases as of 2017 in the US. Most people who have it do well, as it’s usually found and treated in early stages. If it returns, it can be treated again. One of the best solutions being using iodine 131 therapy (RAI). (Web MD, n.d.) (American Cancer Society, 2017) Experts don’t know exactly what causes thyroid cancer. All they know is that changes in the DNA of your cells play a role. These changes may include inherited ones as well as changes that happen over time. Exposition of radiation to the torso can also increase chances of getting thyroid cancer. (Web MD, n.d.) Even though thyroid cancer is uncommon as of now, research has shown that it is expected to steadily increase the number of people affected; with papillary thyroid cancer numbers doubling by 2019 and it is also expected to become the 3rd most common cancer for women in future years. (American Cancer Society, 2017) Despite substantial clinical and economic burdens that this represents, thyroid cancer research remains underfunded at $14.7 million as of 2009 (in America).(Aschebrook-Kilfoy et al., 2013). Solutions:There are many possible solutions to thyroid cancer, one of them being chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs that are injected into the veins, muscles or are swallowed by the patient. It’s a systematic therapy, meaning that the drug enters the bloodstream to destroy cancer cells. However, this treatment has many side effects such as hair loss, nausea, muscle fatigue and so on. It’s also seldom helpful for most types of thyroid cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2016) (Cancer Research UK, 2014)Another possible solution is for the patient to get surgery. The most common procedure to get would be Thyroidectomy, to remove the entire thyroid gland. It’s done through an incision across the neck, and a prescription of daily levothyroxine (thyroid hormones) pills. There are still many risks and side effects, including larynx irritati