Thyroid cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the world, affecting both men and women. While statistically it’s more common among women, men have an increased risk of certain types of thyroid cancer as well. Regardless of gender, diagnosis and treatment can be complicated and confusing. In this blog post, we’ll dive into thyroid cancer in men and women to better understand the risks, symptoms, treatments, and outlook for this type of cancer. We’ll also explore some tips on how to reduce your risk of developing thyroid cancer in the future.
What is thyroid cancer?
There are several types of thyroid cancer, each with different characteristics. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, which accounts for about 80 percent of all cases. Papillary thyroid cancer is more likely to occur in women than men, and is more common in people between the ages of 25 and 65. The next most common type is follicular thyroid cancer, which accounts for about 15 percent of all cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more common in women than men, and is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 45 and 65. The third most common type is medullary thyroid cancer, which accounts for about 3 percent of all cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more common in men than women, and is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 40 and 60. The fourth and final type of thyroid cancer is anaplastic thyroid cancer, which accounts for about 2 percent of all cases. This type of thyroid cancer is more common in older adults, and affects both sexes equally.
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What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?”There are a few early warning signs of thyroid problems that can be easy to overlook because they mimic other, more common issues. Feeling exhausted all the time, for example, could be chalked up to a busy lifestyle or too little sleep. But if you’re also gaining weight inexplicably or your hair is falling out in clumps, those could be signs that your thyroid isn’t functioning properly. Other early warnings include feeling unusually cold all the time, constipation that doesn’t go away, and skin changes like dryness and thinning. If you notice any of these changes happening suddenly or for no apparent reason, it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor to rule out thyroid problems.
How common is thyroid cancer in men and women?
While thyroid cancer is more common in women, with a female to male ratio of 3:1, it is still possible for men to develop the disease. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 2,200 new cases of thyroid cancer in men and 6,600 in women in 2020.
There are several reasons why thyroid cancer is more common in women. First, women have a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease, which can lead to thyroid problems and an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can also impact the thyroid gland and lead to an increased risk of cancer. Finally, women are more likely than men to undergo medical procedures that can involve the neck and throat area, such as a biopsy or surgery, which can increase the chances of developing thyroid cancer.
Despite being less common, thyroid cancer in men can still occur. Symptoms of thyroid cancer are typically the same in men and women and can include a lump or swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, pain in the throat or neck area, and hoarseness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor so they can rule out other potential causes and determine if further testing is necessary.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer in men and women?
There are a few key symptoms of thyroid cancer that men and women should be aware of. These include:
1. A lump or swelling in the neck, often near the Adam’s apple
2. Difficulty swallowing or hoarseness
3. Persistent fatigue
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Frequent headaches or dizziness
6. Pain in the neck or throat
7. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
How is thyroid cancer diagnosed in men and women?
There are several ways that thyroid cancer can be diagnosed in both men and women. A doctor may order a blood test to check for certain hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland. An imaging test, such as an ultrasound, may also be ordered to get a closer look at the thyroid gland. In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
How is thyroid cancer treated in men and women?
Thyroid cancer is most often treated with surgery, and the type of surgery depends on the stage of the cancer. For early-stage cancer, a surgeon may remove only the part of the thyroid that contains the cancer (lobectomy). If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a lobectomy may be followed by removal of these lymph nodes (lymphadenectomy). For more advanced cancers, or if cancer remains after an initial operation, additional surgeries, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy may be needed.
In general, women are more likely than men to have surgery for thyroid cancer. This is partly due to the fact that women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with early-stage disease. Radiation therapy is used less often in women than in men, due to concerns about its effects on fertility. Chemotherapy is used about equally in men and women.
What are the survival rates for thyroid cancer in men and women?
Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for thyroid cancer in the United States for 2020 are:
• About 53,990 new cases of thyroid cancer (44,470 in women and 9,520 in men) will be diagnosed.
• About 2,170 people (1,750 women and 420 men) will die from thyroid cancer.
The survival rates for thyroid cancer vary depending on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis. The 5-year relative survival rate for all stages of thyroid cancer combined is about 98%. This means that if 100 people with thyroid cancer are followed for at least 5 years after their diagnosis, 98 of them would be alive 5 years later. The 5-year relative survival rates by stage at diagnosis are shown below.
In general, the prognosis (outlook) for people with thyroid cancer is very good. However, some types of thyroid cancer can be more difficult to treat and can have a poorer
outlook.
Conclusion
In conclusion, thyroid cancer is a serious condition that affects both men and women. It’s important for men to be aware of the symptoms of this disease so they can recognize them early and seek medical treatment. Also, it’s equally important for women to have regular check-ups and screenings as often as recommended by their
primary care doctor in order to detect any signs of thyroid cancer at an early stage. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many cases of thyroid cancer are successfully treated with good outcomes.
