Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid, a gland in your neck that controls blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, weight and other vital functions. Thyroid cancer is usually very treatable and has a low mortality rate.

Causes of thyroid cancer

Exposure to radiation, especially in the head and neck area
Having an altered RET gene which can be passed from parent to child. Nearly everyone with the altered RET gene will develop medullary thyroid cancer. A blood test can determine whether patients have an altered RET gene.
Lack of iodine in the diet, which is an essential nutrient for the thyroid. This is usually not a problem in developed countries as it is typically added to table salt.
Being female, as middle-aged women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men

Having one or more of these risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will definitely develop thyroid cancer.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer

A lump in the front of the neck
Vocal changes such as hoarseness or difficulty speaking
Neck pain
Difficulty swallowing

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer at KHCC

Blood tests to detect abnormal levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Biopsy of a tissue sample from the thyroid gland
Ultrasound
Thyroid scan

Treatment of thyroid cancer at KHCC

Treatment for thyroid cancer often includes surgery as an initial course of treatment, followed by radioactive iodine therapy. Rarely, some patients may need radiotherapy. Thyroid cancer patients do not usually receive chemotherapy.

At KHCC, the comprehensive care of a multidisciplinary team is combined with the expertise of its nuclear medicine department through radioactive iodine therapy. In fact, the Iodine Room at KHCC is the only one in the country accredited by the Jordan Nuclear Commission.