Thyroid Cancer Treatment In India

What Is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is the abnormal generation of cells that takes place in the thyroid gland. The gland is butterfly-shaped and situated just at the bae of our throat, adjoining the Adam’s Apple. Thyroid cancer gradually leads to slow decline of the growth of functional cells, leading to health declination.

The thyroid gland, a part of the endocrine system, absorbs iodine from the bloodstream and secretes hormones that controls and regulates body’s weight, temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. The healthy thyroid gland is palpable, but when there’s a tumor developed, the neck feels a lump. This tumorous growth can be benign or malignant, which thereby can spread across different parts of the body. Most of thyroid cancers are treatable and the treatment includes radioiodine therapy, hormone therapy, radiation, chemotherapy and surgery

What Are The Types Thyroid Cancer?

• Anaplastic: An aggressive form of thyroid cancer that is hardest when it comes to get treated. It grows quickly and spreads across the surrounding tissue and other body parts. This is a rare type of cancer that accounts for 2% of diagnoses.
• Medullary: Also, only about 2% of diagnoses can turn out to be medullary. 25% of patients with Medullary thyroid cancer may have a family history of the disease, which may be blamed at a faulty genetic mutation.
• Follicular thyroid cancer takes place in 15% of cancer diagnoses. This is a cancer which is more likely to reach the bones and vital organs like lungs. This cancer is considered to be metastatic and is more challenging to treat.
  
• Papillary: Around 80% of all thyroid cancer cases turn out to be papillary. This cancer grows at a slow rate. Papillary thyroid cancer spread across the neck at the nymph nodes but nevertheless, responds well to treatment. Papillary thyroid cancer is rarely fatal and highly curable.

What Is The Survival Rate Of Thyroid Cancer In India?

As per a published medical report in July 2023, “The incidence of thyroid cancer is 5.4 per lakh people in India. Thyroid cancer is divided into sub types, with papillary thyroid cancer being the most common.”
Survival rate of this cancer depends on various factors. These rates are frequently based on results of the huge number of people who had history with cancer in past. The survival rate of thyroid in India is indicated through a five-year analysis, like how many individuals have survived after discovery of their thyroid cancer. Overall, there’s a 98% first-five-year survival rate. But this rate is dependent upon a wide range of factors that include stage of the disease and type of the cancer.

The thyroid cancer survival rate depends on the stage of cancer, for example:

• Stage 1 survival rate in Thyroid Cancer is 100%
• Stage 2 survival rate in Thyroid Cancer is 99%
• Stage 3 survival rate in Thyroid Cancer is 99%
• Stage 4 survival rate in Thyroid Cancer is 76%
  
  Over the years, India has become a reliable hub of the world when it comes to treatment of thyroid cancer. Right from diagnosis to post-surgical care, patients from different corners of the world trust in the country’s approach and initiative in providing the best thyroid care.

What Are The Stages Of Thyroid Cancer?

Stage 1 – The tumor in this stage is around 2cm or even less than that and did not expand out from the thyroid gland. It does not aggravate into adjoining nodes or lymph nodes or other areas.
Stage 2 – At this stage, the tumor is between 2 to 4 cms. There are no traces of cancer cells in the lymph nodes or any other distant places inside the body. The tumor has a diameter bigger than 4 cm and has started to grow out of the thyroid gland. Cancer has not yet been detected in the lymph nodes or any other body parts.
Stage 3 – The tumor at this stage is bigger than 4 cm and chances are, it has grown outside the thyroid gland, but yet to spread to the adjacent lymph nodes or has started to spread to the adjacent lymph nodes but not in other body parts.
Stage 4 – This stage is further sub-divided into:

• Stage 4a – The cancer cells have developed beyond thyroid gland, affecting the adjoining tissues, lymph nodes, upper chest and other remote areas.
• Stage 4b – The tumor has developed in the spinal column, adjacent large blood vessels, may have spread to the lymph nodes but not other remote areas of the body.
• Stage 4c – Thyroid cells have metastasized and spread to remote areas.

What Are The Symptoms & Signs Of Thyroid Cancer?

The inception of thyroid cancer does not generally exhibit any symptoms of signs. As the cancer grows, the disease gradually informs the person with:

• Enlarged lymph nodes around the neck
• Pained throat and neck
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Change in voice, becoming more hoarse
• Development of nodule or lump across the skin of neck
  
  Here are the potential risk factors & causes of thyroid cancer
  
• Hereditary genetic syndromes
• Radiotherapy of neck and head
• Exposure to high radiation levels

How is the diagnosis of thyroid cancer conducted?

• Surgery
  
  Most of the patients battling thyroid cancer undergo thyroid cancer surgery in India where the gland is removed. Surgery is recommended by the doctor when the size of the tumor expands more than the size of the gland. Surgery of thyroid glands takes place to remove the entire or partial thyroid gland from the body.
  
• Thyroid Hormone Therapy
  
  The next predominant treatment after thyroidectomy is thyroid hormone therapy in India. This therapy provides the missing hormone that the thyroid gland would normally secrete. Once the thyroid gland in removed, the patient has to take levothyroxine for the entire life.
  
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy
  
  If the patient experiences recurrence of cancer cells after thyroidectomy in India, this therapy can be helpful. The radioactive iodine treatment is given in form of fluid or capsule that the patients can ingest. This iodine is absorbed by the thyroid cancer cells and normal cancer cells so that the risk of other body parts getting affected is reduced. Look out for the following side-effects of this treatment:
  
  • Tiredness
  • Change of odor and taste
  • Inflamed eyes
  • Oral pain
  • Mouth dryness
  
• External Radiation Therapy
  
  This therapy can be administered externally by using a machine which targets at specific points of the body through proton beams or X-ray beams. During this therapy, the patient stands still on a table while the machine revolves around him or her. This treatment is recommended when surgery is not an option and the cancer keeps developing after radiation iodine therapy.
  
• Chemotherapy
  
  This predominant therapy is used for killing cancer cells. The chemicals move through the entire body and kill fast-growing cells, which include cancer cells. Chemotherapy is not the first treatment choice in thyroid cancer, but doctors recommend this to the patients suffering with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Chemotherapy can be used in combination with radiotherapy.
  
• Targeted Drug Therapy
  
  Targeted medication focuses on certain abnormal cancer cells. By hindering the functionalities of these abnormalities, the targeted medication treatments cause complete death of active cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy targets signals which tell the cancer cells for splitting and multiplying. This therapy is specially given to patients in advanced stage.
  
• Alcoholic Ablation
  
  Alcoholic ablation or injecting alcohol into cancer cells involves injecting alcohol into thyroid cancers through imaging like ultrasound, for ensuring precise placement of injection. This therapy causes the cancer cells to shrink. Alcohol abrasion can be an option if the patient’s cancer cells small and surgery is not an option. This process also is used to treat cancer cells that re-appear in the lymph nodes after a surgical intervention.

What Are The Most Common Approached Of Doctor For Treating Different Stages Of Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer treatment depends on the stage of cancer, extent of cancer and also the location of cancer. The different treatment approach for treatment are:

• Stage 1: At this stage, the doctors recommend surgery and after that, hormone replacement therapy.
• Stage 2: Surgery is also recommended in stage 2. But alongside this, the doctors can also recommend chemotherapy, radiotherapy for complete or partial removal of cancer cells permanently.
• Stage 3: The treatment for this stage is similar to that of stage 2. The doctor will surgically remove cancer cells and its adjacent lymph nodes and after that, external radiation therapy and chemo radiation will be suggested for eradicating cancer completely.
• Stage 4: At this stage, the doctor will suggest external beam therapy, followed by radioactive iodine therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Sometimes, doctor may suggest some medicines for easing the discomfort caused by the ailment.

How To Choose The Best Hospital In India For Thyroid Cancer Treatment?

Selecting the most trusted hospital for treatment of thyroid cancer is crucial because a reliable hospital provides top-notch facilities for treating the ailment. In addition, the hospital must offer versatile approach where patients can receive adequate attention from properly trained nurses, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, specialist surgeons who together give you the outstanding treatment.
Selecting the right oncologist and hospital for treatment is no doubt an arduous task but the right decision has to be made for the right cancer treatment. A well-trained and well-experienced medical team provides all kinds of necessary treatment for slowing, down, reversing and eradicating cancer. So, when you are selecting the right team for cancer treatment, ensure the following:

• The experts have the right knowledge and experience in the field
• The doctor and his team must include various specialists
• The doctor and his team have certificate from tumor board
  
  India is home and workplace to some of the best oncologists treating thyroid cancer to global patients. Put your reliance in the one of the most potent and promising medical practitioners who are committed to provide unparalleled healthcare in thyroid cancer treatment.

What Is The Cost Of Thyroid Treatment In India?

Here’s a city-wise break-up of the cost

City	Minimum (INR)	Maximum (INR)
Bangalore	70000	101000
Chennai	70000	90000
Delhi	70000	100000
Hyderabad	70000	85000
Mumbai	70000	110000
Patna	70000	85000
Pune	70000	95000

Please note, all these figures are based out of approximation, close to the actual figure. Consult your physician for custom or current rates.

Here’s the detailed cost-break for Thyroid Treatment In India

Thyroid Treatment	Minimum	Maximum	Average
Consultation	300	1000	650
Diagnosis Tests	500	2500	1500
Thyroidectomy or Thyroid Surgery In India	50000	250000	50000
Medication	300	1500	900
Radioactive Iodine Therapy	10000	50000	30000
Radiofrequency Ablation	40000	150000	40000
Follow-Up	300	1000	650
Total	101400	456000	123700

What Are The Risks Of Thyroid Cancer On Female Sex?

Thyroid cancer is a common disease among women due to the role of hormones, different than those of the males. The thyroid nodules affect upto 80% of women but only 5% to 15% are malignant.

What Is Metastatic Thyroid Cancer?

Metastatic thyroid cancer or stage 4 thyroid cancer is referred to the malignancy of the disease where cancer cells have spread in distant body parts.

Which Country Is The Best For Thyroid Cancer Treatment?

For quality treatment & healthcare, countries like South Korea, Germany & Japan are ideal.
For cost-effectiveness, India, Thailand & Turkey are ideal.
For patient aftercare & satisfaction, USA, Spain & Singapore are ideal.
For convenience & accessibility, Canada, Australia & Israel are ideal.
For advanced thyroidectomy surgeries, Sweden & Switzerland are ideal.
For ethical & legal aspects, United Kingdom is ideal.
In a nutshell, we can say that India is the best country offering effective thyroid cancer care to patients. During the past decade, the country’s medical infrastructure has gone under a paradigm shift and thanks to the technological evolution, the surgeries and post-surgery care have also transformed with time.

How To Choose The Best Oncologist For Thyroid Treatment In India?

• Ask the oncologist on how many patients and surgeries they are associated with annually.
• Ask the oncologist on what percentage of their practice is based on cancer surgery.
• Read reviews on the surgeon.