Young adults are likely to enjoy a better survival rate than older adults above 55 years diagnosed with thyroid cancer, says Dr Sandeep Nayak, Founder-Director of MACS Clinic, Bangalore
Cancer occurs at any age. To combat cancer and ensure best possible survival rates, the emphasis is on cancer awareness, early detection and timely treatment. Thyroid cancer is commoner among younger age group and has very good prognosis.
Dr Sandeep Nayak, Founder-Director of MACS Clinic, Bangalore and one of India's leading surgical oncologists, states, 'Across my career spanning (no. of years), I have successfully treated young thyroid cancer patients through the minimally invasive Robotic-assisted Breast-axilloInsufflated Thyroidectomy (RABIT), to remove thyroid tumors.
Thyroid cancer has a better prognosis and survival rate. Also, thyroid cancer occurs more in women than in men. Young adults are likely to enjoy a better survival rate than older adults above 55 years diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
The most common sign of thyroid cancer is a lump, mass, or nodule on the front of the neck. However, the mass can also be present near the lymph nodes, i.e. at the side of the neck and can go undetected. Generally, the doctor detects the lump through a physical medical examination or scan for some other medical condition.
The causes of thyroid cancer are yet unknown. But, family history or genetic factors and radiation therapy, if undertaken during childhood, are some of the reasons for thyroid cancer. If the patient has a family history of thyroid cancer, then genetic testing is advised to understand its cause and ascertain genetic mutation. Each of these cancer display variation in aggression. Hence, the treatment protocol for each one is different.
Treatment of thyroid cancer is surgery followed by radio-iodine therapy. The treating oncologist would recommend surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland and check whether cancer has spread to the nearest lymph nodes.
Dr Sandeep Nayak has invented the Robotic-assisted Breast-axillo Insufflated Thyroidectomy (RABIT), which uses the surgical robotic system to remove thyroid tumors. It is one of the latest and reliable surgical procedures introduced by Dr Sandeep Nayak. He uses the robotic instrumentation system to view, gain access and preserve the vital structures around the thyroid. Moreover, it is a minimally invasive procedure through which the surgeon accesses the affected site and tumor by making a few small incisions in the armpit skin fold. The procedure leaves very tiny scars while the patients recover fast as there is minimal blood loss and post-operational trauma.
The older surgical procedures include traditional open surgery, Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery (MITS) and Laparoscopic (Endoscopic) Thyroid Surgery by BABA technique, are performed as per the stage of cancer, location of the tumor and the patient's condition.
In a traditional open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision of up to 15cm or more to remove the thyroid tumor or the gland. Also, the open surgery leaves a long, visible, unappealing scar on the neck; hence is not preferred by many.
However, the oncologist is the best person to decide the type of surgery suitable for the patient. Dr Sandeep Nayak advises patients and their family members to choose a highly experienced and qualified cancer surgeon for treatment.
At MACS Clinic, Bangalore, Dr Sandeep Nayak and his multidisciplinary team are available for consultation and guide treating thyroid cancer and other cancers. They are caring and emphatic and work towards reducing the anxiety levels of the patients and their family members while recommending the most suitable treatment that causes minimal trauma to the patients.
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