History of Thyroid Cancer
Though the exact year is uncertain, thyroid cancer is said to have been discovered in the 1800s by surgeon William Stewart Halsted, however the thyroid gland was discovered long before that. |
What is Thyroid Cancer?
The thyroid gland (part of the endocrine system) is a gland in the front of a person's neck, and it is quite often described as "butterfly-shaped". The purpose of this gland is to produce hormones and control/maintain the use of energy in the body, allowing the body unit to function properly. As mentioned before, this is an uncommon type of cancer, but an abnormality in the cells produce the cancer in the thyroid gland. This type of cancer is usually found in its early stages, before it has spread too far. |
What Causes Thyroid Cancer?
Experts only know to a certain degree what causes this thyroid cancer, but one thing they are certain of: the DNA changes in the cells is definitely a cause. These changes can happens because of something inherited by the parents or just as a result of aging. These experts are fairly sure too that people exposed to more radiation are more prone to this type of cancer, though dental x-rays do not seem to increase chances when done occasionally. Radiation treatment (of the head, neck or chest) on the other hand, can escalate chances of getting the cancer. |