Follicular Neoplasm
What Is Follicular Neoplasm?
Follicular neoplasm is the second most common form of thyroid cancer, making up about 25% of all diagnosed thyroid cancers. It is very hard to properly diagnose because of its pathology and treatment usually involves surgical applications.
Thyroid Functions
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped organ located in the neck. It is the largest endocrine gland in the body and is important to the body as it produces Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).
They perform many functions including:
Regulating the body’s metabolism
Aiding in growth and development
Protein synthesis
The inside of the thyroid is composed off spherical follicles that absorb iodine to produce these hormones.
Cancers that affect the thyroid follicles are dangerous as they can spread to the lungs, bones, skin and adrenal glands.
Diagnosis Of Follicular Neoplasm
Follicular neoplasm is difficult to diagnose as it has no characteristic changes in cell appearance that can be seen. It is usually discovered as a painless lump on the thyroid, but traditional techniques are often not accurate for making a complete diagnosis.
The traditional cancer detecting technique that requires removing cells for microscopic observation through a fine needle aspiration (FNA) cannot determine the difference between harmful malignant conditions and benign ones. Even coarse needle biopsy (CNB), which are usually more accurate than FNAs can only determine the difference between dangerous and benign conditions about 40% of the time.
The problem rests in the fact that with this condition, doctors need to be able to look at more than just the individual cells, but will need to check the entire capsule around the nodule to check for a cancerous cell invasion.
Sometimes, an ultrasound may be used to view the structure of the lesions on the thyroid, but the most common technique is surgery.
Diagnostic Lobectomy
Usually, the only way to properly diagnose follicular neoplasm of the thyroid is through a procedure known as a diagnostic lobectomy.
This involves a surgical removal of about half of the thyroid gland itself. Once removed from the patient, the doctors can then observe the entire nodule under a microscope and determine whether there are any cancerous invasions.
On average, about 70% of these procedures produce results indicating the condition is benign and require no further procedures. This is the reason that doctors only remove half of the thyroid during the exploratory surgery, as there are less complications and the patient can continue to have normal thyroid function without the aid of drugs.
In those cases in which cancerous cells are discovered, the procedure referred to as a completion thyroidectomy is performed. This removes the remaining half of the thyroid to help prevent the cancerous cells from spreading to other parts of the body. Medications are then needed to take up the thyroid function.
Causes Of Follicular Neoplasm
There are several risk factors that scientists believe may contribute to or even cause follicular neoplasm.
Genetic factors and family history can play a very large role in whether a patient may develop this condition, especially if a close family member with the condition is discovered.
Studies are also now suggesting that radiation exposure, especially to the area of the head and neck may also be a cause.
There is a possibility that x-ray treatments for other conditions may also increase the risk factors.
Cancer involving the thyroid has one of the fastest growing incident rates in the country today.
Because there are no really concrete signs or symptoms, the best prevention of thyroid cancer is regular check-ups by your doctor and paying close attention to risk factors.
Always take the necessary precautions if you work near radiation.
The good news is that although follicular neoplasm is a form of cancer, it has a low mortality rate and can be 100% cured by surgery.