Crucial steps forward in the treatment of advanced cases of thyroid cancer
Breakthroughs in Thyroid Cancer Treatment
Unusual patterns of cell growth on or around the thyroid gland are often diagnosed as thyroid cancer. There are four different types of tumors associated with thyroid cancer, most of which vary according to the area of the thyroid gland that is affected. These include papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic tumors. Of these, follicular and papillary tumors are most commonly diagnosed.
For reasons that are not yet fully understood, the rate of diagnosis of thyroid cancers has skyrocketed in recent years. Some researchers have argued that environmental factors such as radiation exposure may be to blame for the alarming trend, while others have contended that the increased number of diagnoses have resulted from improved rates of detection, rather than an upward climb in the prevalence of the disease itself.
Although the origins of the thyroid cancer spike remain unclear, scientists are in agreement on one point: the prognoses for most types of thyroid cancer are now better than ever. As researchers around the globe continue to tackle this problem, a slew of new and innovative treatment methods are being developed. This week, we'll take a look at a few of the most promising findings to emerge in recent months.
New Information about Genetic Roots of Thyroid Cancer May Help Deliver More Effective Treatments
Researchers at Canada's Queens University have published a significant new insight into the genetic roots of thyroid cancer. The details about a specific component of cell development in thyroid cancer may help develop future treatments that target the cell growth mechanism, according to the scientists.
The researchers looked closely at the unusual behaviors exhibited by proteins within cells associated with thyroid cancers. They stumbled on an explanation that explains the proteins' odd behavior and develop an assessment for determining whether a specific genetic mutation that causes the abnormal action is present.
Based on this information, the researchers expressed confidence that the findings will prove to be useful in the development of future treatments for thyroid cancer. These treatments could be helpful in the care of patients with genetic or environmental forms of the disease, according to the lead scientist who oversaw the study.
New Treatment for Advanced Thyroid Cancer Discovered
Overall, the general prognosis for thyroid cancer is good, as long as the disease is discovered early in the course of its progression and proper, effective treatment is provided. However, for certain rare types of thyroid cancer, or advanced cases of the disease, the outlook is often far more grim.
The findings of a study that was recently unveiled at a national conference of the American Society for Clinical Oncology in Chicago may represent a crucial step forward in the treatment of advanced cases of thyroid cancer. According to the researchers who led the study, an aggressive treatment protocol based on the drug axitinib was shown to reduce or stall tumor growth in nearly 75% of patients.
Although treatment options for patients with advanced thyroid cancer have traditionally been quite limited, the axitinib regimen produced remarkable results. Not only did the drug effectively end tumor growth in most patients tested, it actually incited tumor shrinkage in many cases. In addition, the drug appears to have prevented the growth of new tumors.
While the researchers agree that more fine-tuning will be necessary before a standard treatment protocol can be devised, they express their hope that an axitinib-based treatment for advanced thyroid cancer will be fast-tracked to the market in the near future.
Newly-Developed Treatment Effective Against Dangerous Calcium Accumulation That Often Accompanies Parathyroid Cancer
Although the prognosis for parathyroid cancer is relatively good, doctors have long been challenged to treat the rapid accumulation of calcium in the bloodstream that is a common side effect of this form of the disease. In many cases, the excess calcium presents more of an immediate threat than the cancer itself, causing secondary symptoms such as dehydration, mental confusion, kidney damage and, in some cases, death. However, the effective treatment options for the condition have long been very limited.
The results of a recent study may represent a significant turnaround in this situation. According to scientists at Columbia University, the drug cinacalcet may advance the standard protocols for managing parathyroid cancer and resulting calcium imbalances.
The new drug works directly on the calcium receptor in the production of parathyroid hormone, thus providing the fast and effective treatment for systemic calcium imbalance that has eluded researchers for decades. The researchers report that they are confident the new findings will significantly improve the outlook for patients diagnosed with advanced parathyroid cancer.
If you're concerned about thyroid cancer, talk with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment and monitoring plan. Please check back each week for more of the thyroid health news you need for optimal well-being.
The Connection Between the Thyroid and Heart Disease
Scientists Probe Connection between Thyroid Health and Heart Risks
For thyroid patients who are already well aware of the outsize impact that this inch-long gland exerts upon the rest of the body, it should come as no surprise that the proper function of the heart, perhaps the single most vital organ in the human body, depends so heavily on the thyroid. The fluctuations in blood chemistry that result when a disordered thyroid gland produces either too much or too little thyroid hormone can put patients at significant risk for cardiovascular diseases and disorders.
Researchers have long recognized the link between thyroid health and cardiovascular function, but the full extent of this relationship has only come to light over the course of the last several decades. As diagnosis and treatment for thyroid disorders has progressed rapidly in terms of sophistication and effectiveness, doctors are increasingly able to detect and prevent incipient heart problems.
If you or a loved one suffers from a thyroid disorder, it is vital to stay on top of the new and emerging research findings delving into the relationship between the heart and the thyroid. This week, we'll review three recent studies that have focused on this connection.
Mild to Moderate Thyroid Problems Pose Grave Risk to Heart Health, Study Shows
For decades, it was assumed that only the most severe thyroid disorders could impact cardiovascular functioning. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine indicated that even mild abnormalities in thyroid function can exponentially increase heart health risks.
In a large-scale longitudinal study that tracked both heart and thyroid function in an experimental population of over 3,000 male subjects over the age of 65, it was found that even mildest cases of thyroid disorders seemed to exert a significant impact on heart health. Furthermore, even the men whose thyroid fluctuations were so faint that they would not meet current diagnostic standards for thyroid disease had as much as twice the risk of developing heart disease when compared with subjects who experienced no thyroid hormone fluctuations whatsoever.
The authors cautioned that further testing was needed before clinical guidelines for the treatment of either thyroid disorders or cardiovascular problems should be modified. However, they did agree that even these preliminary findings should be enough to encourage physicians to keep a close eye on thyroid hormone levels in patients at high risk for developing cardiovascular problems.
Treatment for Underactive Thyroid Can Eliminate Many Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
A study conducted by researchers at Newcastle University’s School of Clinical Medical Sciences confirmed and extended other studies that have made a link between subclinical hypothyroidism and heart disease.
In the study, patients with minor shortages of thyroid hormone were treated with standard hypothyroid medication. As a result, the majority of patients experienced a significant reduction in the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The most relevant changes were seen in declining LDL cholesterol levels and weight loss.
In addition, most of the patients reported an increase in energy and a decline in fatigue. For some, the boost in energy levels resulted in more physical activity.
The researchers asserted that the results supported a change in the current treatment protocols for even very minor cases of hypothyroidism. Treatment can result in a number of positive health gains, they said, which might be particularly important for patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Thyroid Hormone Abnormalities May Result in Heartbeat Irregularities in Elderly
Although most of the recent studies that have explored the heart-thyroid connection have focused on cardiovascular disease, one investigation conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham (UK) indicates that improper thyroid function may also play a role in the development of other heart abnormalities, as well.
Specifically, the researchers zeroed in on the thyroid's possible role as a cause of atrial fibrillation. This well-known heartbeat abnormality is associated with a heightened risk of stroke and heart disease.
The researchers indicate that more investigation is needed to ascertain the thyroid's role in causing atrial fibrillation. However, they urge that even minor cases of thyroid hormone fluctuation should be treated following standard hypothyroidism protocols, particularly among the elderly population.
If you are concerned about the link between thyroid health and cardiovascular disorders, talk to your doctor for an in-depth analysis of your personal risk factors. Please check back each week for more of the thyroid research news you need.
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Normal Thyroid Test Results
The Challenge of Defining 'Normal' Thyroid Function
If you're concerned about thyroid health, chances are good that you've probably already had the most common lab tests used to track thyroid function. Maybe you received what your physician described as a 'normal' test result in the past, but you're still concerned about a family history of thyroid problems, or you're experiencing a persistent pattern of symptoms that seem consistent with what you know about thyroid disorders.
Confused? Well, you're not the only one. At this very moment, a debate is raging in the thyroid health community over the way that common test results are interpreted. Specifically, there is a great deal of controversy over the test results that should be described as 'normal' -- and, due to the fact that each person's body is unique, whether a generic range of normal thyroid function can even be said to exist.
Recent Advances in Thyroid Tests Lead to Debate over How Results Should Be Interpreted
The good news is that the medical technology that is used to track and analyze thyroid function has been improved significantly in recent years. The most common laboratory tests that are now used to report thyroid health are now much more advanced than their predecessors, able to detect fluctuations in thyroid hormones with incredible sensitivity.
The not-so-good news is that there is still no clear consensus on how these more accurate results should be interpreted. Suddenly, many of the diagnostic categories that have been around for decades are no longer as applicable as they once were. Results that once fell into the 'normal' range are now being scrutinized more closely for clues to possible thyroid disorders.
'Normal' Thyroid Test Results -- and What They May Mean for Your Health
The most intense debate over thyroid lab test interpretations centers on the most common diagnostic procedure, the TSH test. This lab test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood, and it is the diagnostic tool that is most frequently used to screen patients for hypothyroidism and other common thyroid disorders.
When a TSH test is conducted, each patient's results are compared against a standard norm in order to determine whether the thyroid is functioning properly and emitting appropriate levels of thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. However, there is widespread disagreement over just what the standard norm that is used as a reference point should be.
Some physicians and scientists contend that the traditionally-defined norm of a reference point in the range of .5 to 5.0 should be upheld. In other words, those who defend this position believe that the long-established values used for interpreting TSH test results are still applicable.
However, on the other side of this debate is a growing group of doctors, medical associations, and patient advocacy groups who argue that this range is far too broad. This reform-oriented group suggests that the TSH test's reference range for 'normal' should be modified to .3-3.0. In other words, in this group's view, any patient whose TSH test results are less than .3 or greater than 3.0 should be referred for additional thyroid evaluation.
What to Do if Your Doctor Thinks You're 'Normal'…But You're Not So Sure
If you happen to be one of the millions of patients whose TSH results fall into the range of 3.0 to 5.0, your doctor may be one of the traditionalists who still regard this as a sign that your thyroid is functioning normally. If you are satisfied with this interpretation and you are not experiencing any additional symptoms, just be sure to remind your doctor to keep an eye on any potential thyroid concerns in the future.
However, if you fall into the 3.0-5.0 range on the TSH test and you continue to experience thyroid-related symptoms or other inexplicable health problems, it may be time to seek out a second opinion. A thyroid specialist or endocrinologist may be better equipped to answer your concerns in greater detail.
When it comes to thyroid health, it's important to trust your instincts. If your current physician isn't responsive to your concerns, it may be time to shop around a bit. Please check back each week for more of the news and information you need to achieve and maintain optimal thyroid health.
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Thyroid Radiation Treatment
Thyroid Radiation Treatment: A Look at its Unique Risks and Benefits
For decades, radiation treatment has been the treatment of choice for several of the most common forms of thyroid cancer. Although radiation is strongly associated with negative health connotations in the minds of many people, its long history as a successful treatment for thyroid diseases has helped establish it as a widely accepted form of medical therapy.
However, the true safety of radiation therapy for thyroid cancers has come under attack in recent months. Although experts agree that this treatment is effective as a means of stemming the growth of cancer, there is mounting evidence that at least for some patients, the risks of this treatment may equal or outweigh the benefits.
Even as the controversy over the safety of thyroid radiation treatment continues to rage, it remains the default therapy for thousands of people diagnosed with cancers and other diseases of the thyroid gland. This week, we'll take a look at the facts and arguments posed by those on both sides of the debate.
Iodine 131: Treatment or Safety Risk?
Many physicians identify the discovery of iodine 131 as a form of thyroid cancer therapy as a key turning point in the treatment of the disease. Indeed, the widespread use of radiation therapy coincided with a dramatic increase in the average survival rate and life expectancy for those diagnosed with the disease. Today, thyroid cancer patients who receive the treatment have a typical five-year survival rate of nearly 97%, representing a dramatic up-tick in the health outlook for those diagnosed with this form of cancer.
In fact, the success of iodine 131 as a treatment for thyroid cancer has been so profound and far-reaching that some physicians have recommended using the chemical compound in the treatment of other types of cancers. At the current juncture, experiments testing the efficacy of iodine 131 as a treatment for prostate, colon, and liver cancers are underway.
However, even as iodine 131 has gained widespread acclaim as a uniquely effective cancer treatment, other scientists have begun to question whether the safety risks associated with this type of radiation therapy may outweigh its benefits. Because of its intensely powerful radiation, iodine 131 poses a threat to anyone who comes into contact with it.
This means that patients undergoing cancer treatment with the drug have to follow very strict guidelines in their self-care in order to avoid the possibility of cross-contamination. In the last several years, anecdotal reports of patients who go into self-imposed isolation during treatment to avoid accidentally exposing their family members and loved one to radiation risk.
These claims of potential danger were recently validated by a finding issued by the National Academy of Sciences. This esteemed research institute released an official statement claiming that no amount of environmental exposure to ionizing radiation could be deemed safe, that even the most minimal exposure could pose a severe health risk.
However, even among those who believe the substance carries an unacceptable risk, there is disagreement over the amount of increased cancer risk that can be linked directly to iodine 131 exposure. Some scientists assert that the risk of exposure for most would be incalculably tiny, while others have contended that it could increase cancer risks by as much as 10-20% in cases of prolonged exposure.
Changing Protocols for Iodine 131 Treatment on the Horizon
The effectiveness of radiation therapy for thyroid cancer makes it highly unlikely that this form of therapy will be discontinued. However, what is more likely to change is the venue in which iodine 131 is dispensed to thyroid cancer patients.
The overall trend in medical treatment over the last several decades has been in favor of performing procedures on an outpatient basis whenever possible. As a result, few patients who receive radiation therapy stay in the hospital environment during the entire course of their treatment.
However, for some patients at least, the older method of receiving inpatient radiation treatment may become the norm. Especially for those with infants or young children at home, the hospital setting may offer a more controlled environment in which accidental cross-contamination is far less likely to occur.
If you or a loved one is facing the prospect of iodine 131 treatment in the near future, you can discuss your options with your physician to get a better understanding of the risks that may be involved. And please be sure to check back each week for more of the latest news about thyroid health.
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Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as medical advice or as a substitute for professional care. This site should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The author is not a physician. For medical emergencies, call 911!
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