Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland Cancer

The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck. It has two lobes and is shaped like a butterfly. As part of the endocrine system, this gland makes hormones that affect us from head to toe including our heart rate, temperature, mental function, and metabolism.

Most common symptoms:

• Painless lumps or swellings in the front or sides of the neck
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Pain in the throat or neck not responding to conservative management
• Dry cough not responding to conservative management

HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE?

To find the cause of symptoms, a surgical oncologist evaluates a person’s medical history, performs a physical examination, and orders diagnostic tests. The examination and tests conducted may vary depending on the symptoms. Examination of a sample of tissue under the microscope is always necessary to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

• We insist on clinical examination.
• Physical examination includes thorough examination of neck -thyroid, nodes, position of trachea, any signs of hyper or hypothyroidism, eye signs etc.
• An Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle aspiration Cytology test is usually used to diagnose diseases of thyroid and parathyroid.
• IDL/DL to see vocal cords
• Laboratory tests examine samples of blood(Especially Thyroid function tests, serum calcium, PTH etc), urine, or cells from the nodes.
• CT scan /Magnetic resonance imaging (or MRI) in locally advanced cases.

TUMOR BOARD/ MULTISPECIALTY CLINIC EVALUATION

Each and every Head & Neck cancer patient is evaluated by a special team of Surgical Oncologists (Head & Neck unit), Onco-pathologists, and Imaging Specialists. Depending on the age, general condition, type of pathology, and stage of the disease, a custom-made treatment plan is charted out for each and every patient as per International Treatment Guidelines. (NCCN – National Comprehensive Cancer Network)

Surgeries (OPEN  OR  ROBOTIC) offered

DO’s after Surgery

• Normal diet.
• All medicines as prescribed in the discharge note along with medicines for chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma should be continued as earlier.
• Walking and moving around is a must.
• Shoulder exercises as and when advised.
• Care of the drain and output charting as advised (you can see the video attached for reference).
• Care of the wound as advised. Avoid Betadine for cleaning the wound. You can use alcohol hand rubs .

DON’Ts after surgery

• Avoid addictions.
• Avoid thyroxine tablets and iodized salt, sea food till your surgeon gives you clear instructions
• Avoid Betadine for cleaning the wound
• Avoid bakery products, seafood.

When to contact the treating team?

• As per appointment.
• If the swelling around the neck wound increases suddenly or within few hours
• If there’s difficulty in breathing or swallowing, fever, hoarseness.
• If symptoms of hypocalcemia appear (tingling, numbness, or twitching sensation around lips, finger tips, and toe tips. Spasm of hands and feet). Immediately have 4 tablets of calcium. The required injection of Calcium Gluconate(To be given in 10 minutes intravenously) is written in your discharge summary. You can receive the same at any nearest health care institution.

FEATURED DOCTORS

MBBS, MS, M.Ch.

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Dr. A.K. Dewan Head & Neck Surgical Oncology

MS(Surgery), MRCS(Edinburg), M.Ch. Surgical Oncology

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Dr. Mudit Agarwal Head & Neck Surgical Oncology

MBBS, MS

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Dr. Vikas Arora Head & Neck Surgical Oncology

MBBS, MS, FHNS

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Dr. Vishal Yadav Head & Neck Surgical Oncology