Causes of Thyroid cancer
List of causes of Thyroid cancer
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions
(see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Thyroid cancer)
that could possibly cause Thyroid cancer includes:
Longer list of causes of Thyroid symptoms:
see full list of causes for Thyroid symptoms
Thyroid cancer Causes: Book Excerpts
Thyroid cancer as a complication of other conditions:
Other conditions that might have
Thyroid cancer as a complication may,
potentially, be an underlying cause of Thyroid cancer.
Our database lists the following as having
Thyroid cancer as a complication of that condition:
Thyroid cancer as a symptom:
Conditions listing Thyroid cancer
as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Thyroid cancer.
Our database lists the following as having
Thyroid cancer as a symptom of that condition:
Medical news summaries relating to Thyroid cancer:
The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Thyroid cancer:
Related information on causes of Thyroid cancer:
As with all medical conditions,
there may be many causal factors.
Further relevant information on causes of Thyroid cancer may be found in:
Causes of Thyroid cancer: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the causes of Thyroid cancer.
Thyroid enlargement:
Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is most prevalent in women and usually results from a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which may be due to surgery, irradiation therapy, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease), or inflammatory conditions, such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. Besides an enlarged thyroid, signs and symptoms include weight gain despite anorexia; fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Iodine deficiency
A goiter may result from a lack of iodine in the diet. If the goiter arises from a deficiency of iodine in the food or water of a particular area, it’s called an endemic goiter. Associated signs and symptoms of an endemic goiter include dysphagia, dyspnea, and tracheal deviation. This condition is uncommon in developed countries with iodized salt.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland, may be classified as acute or subacute. It may be due to bacterial or viral infections, in which case associated features include fever and thyroid tenderness. The most prevalent cause of spontaneous hypothyroidism, however, is an autoimmune reaction, as occurs in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Autoimmune thyroiditis usually produces no symptoms other than thyroid enlargement.
Thyrotoxicosis
Overproduction of thyroid hormone causes thyrotoxicosis. The most common form is Graves’disease, which may result from genetic or immunologic factors. Associated signs and symptoms include nervousness; heat intolerance; fatigue; weight loss despite increased appetite; diarrhea; sweating; palpitations; tremors; smooth, warm, flushed skin; fine, soft hair; exophthalmos; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis; and, in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
Tumors
An enlarged thyroid may result from a malignant tumor or a nonmalignant tumor (such as an adenoma). A malignant tumor usually appears as a single nodule in the neck; a nonmalignant tumor may appear as multiple nodules in the neck. Associated signs and symptoms include hoarseness, loss of voice, and dysphagia.
Thyroid tissue contained in ovarian dermoid tumors can function autonomously or in combination with thyrotoxicosis. Pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a rare type, are the only cause of normal or high TSH levels in association with thyrotoxicosis. Finally, high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, as seen in trophoblastic tumors and pregnant women, can cause thyrotoxicosis.
Other causes
Goitrogens
Goitrogens are drugs — such as lithium, sulfonamides, phenylbutazone, and para-aminosalicylic acid — and substances in foods that decrease thyroxine production. Foods containing goitrogens include peanuts, cabbage, soybeans, strawberries, spinach, rutabagas, and radishes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Introduction: Malignant Neoplasms:
What causes cancer?
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Researchers have found that cancer develops from mutations within the genes of cells. Thus, cancer is a genetic disease. Cancer susceptibility genes are of two types. Some are oncogenes, which activate cell division and influence embryonic development, and some are tumor suppressor genes, which halt cell division.
These genes are typically found in normal human cells, but certain kinds of mutations may transform the normal cells. Inherited defects may cause a genetic mutation, whereas exposure to a carcinogen may cause an acquired mutation. Current evidence indicates that carcinogenesis results from a complex interaction of carcinogens and accumulated mutations in several genes.
In animal studies of the ability of viruses to transform cells, some human viruses exhibit carcinogenic potential. For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis, has been linked to Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
High-frequency radiation, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, damages the genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), possibly inducing genetically transferable abnormalities. Other factors, such as a person's tissue type and hormonal status, interact to potentiate radiation's carcinogenic effect. Examples of substances that may damage DNA and induce carcinogenesis include:
❑alkylating agents — leukemia
❑aromatic hydrocarbons and benzopyrene (from polluted air) — lung cancer
❑asbestos — mesothelioma of the lung
❑tobacco — cancer of the lung, oral cavity and upper airways, esophagus, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder
❑vinyl chloride — angiosarcoma of the liver.
Diet has also been implicated, especially in the development of GI cancer as a result of a high animal fat diet. Additives composed of nitrates and certain methods of food preparation — particularly charbroiling — are also recognized factors.
The role of hormones in carcinogenesis is still controversial, but it seems that excessive use of some hormones, especially estrogen, produces cancer in animals. Also, the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol causes vaginal cancer in some daughters of women who were treated with it. It's unclear, however, whether changes in human hormonal balance retard or stimulate cancer development.
Some forms of cancer and precancerous lesions result from genetic predisposition either directly (as in Wilms' tumor and retinoblastoma) or indirectly (in association with inherited conditions such as Down syndrome or immunodeficiency diseases). Expressed as autosomal recessive, X-linked, or autosomal dominant disorders, their common characteristics include:
❑early onset of malignant disease
❑increased incidence of bilateral cancer in paired organs (breasts, adrenal glands, kidneys, and eighth cranial nerve [acoustic neuroma])
❑increased incidence of multiple primary malignancies in nonpaired organs
❑abnormal chromosome complement in tumor cells.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Thyroid cancer:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Predisposing factors to thyroid cancer include radiation exposure (especially childhood radiation therapy), prolonged thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation (through radiation or heredity), familial predisposition, or chronic goiter.
Thyroid cancer occurs in all age-groups, especially in people who have had radiation treatment of the neck area. It affects 1 in 1,000 people.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Malignant spinal neoplasms:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Primary tumors of the spinal cord may be extramedullary (occurring outside the spinal cord) or intramedullary (occurring within the cord itself). Extramedullary tumors may be intradural (meningiomas and schwannomas), which account for 60% of all primary malignant spinal cord neoplasms, or extradural (metastatic tumors from breasts, lungs, prostate, leukemia, or lymphomas), which account for 25% of these malignant neoplasms.
Intramedullary tumors, or gliomas (astrocytomas or ependymomas), are comparatively rare, accounting for only about 10%. In children, they're low-grade astrocytomas.
Spinal cord tumors are rare compared with intracranial tumors (ratio of 1:4). They occur equally in men and women, with the exception of meningiomas, which occur mostly in women. Spinal cord tumors can occur anywhere along the length of the cord or its roots.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Thyroiditis:
Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Autoimmune thyroiditis is due to antibodies to thyroid antigens in the blood. It may cause inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Glandular atrophy (myxedema) and Graves’ disease are linked to autoimmune thyroiditis.
Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis usually follows mumps, influenza, coxsackievirus, or adenovirus infection. Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare condition of unknown etiology.
Miscellaneous thyroiditis results from bacterial invasion of the gland in acute suppurative thyroiditis; tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis, or other infectious agents in the chronic infective form; and sarcoidosis and amyloidosis in chronic noninfective thyroiditis. Postpartum thyroiditis (silent thyroiditis) is another autoimmune disorder associated with transient thyroiditis in females within 1 year after delivery.
Thyroiditis is most prevalent among people ages 30 to 50 and is more common in females than in males. Incidence is highest in the Appalachian region of the United States.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Thyroid enlargement:
Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Hypothyroidism
This disorder, which is most prevalent in women, usually results from a dysfunction of the thyroid gland caused by surgery, irradiation therapy, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s disease), or inflammatory conditions, such as amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. Besides an enlarged thyroid, signs and symptoms include weight gain despite anorexia; fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Iodine deficiency
A goiter may result from a lack of iodine in the diet. A goiter that arises from a deficiency of iodine in the food or water of a particular area is called an endemic goiter. Associated signs and symptoms of an endemic goiter include dysphagia, dyspnea, and tracheal deviation. This condition is uncommon in developed countries with iodized salt.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland, may be classified as acute or subacute. It may be due to bacterial or viral infections, in which case associated features include fever and thyroid tenderness. The most prevalent cause of spontaneous hypothyroidism, however, is an autoimmune reaction, as occurs in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Autoimmune thyroiditis usually produces no symptoms other than thyroid enlargement.
Thyrotoxicosis
Overproduction of thyroid hormone causes thyrotoxicosis. The most common form is Graves’disease, which may result from genetic or immunologic factors. Associated signs and symptoms include nervousness; heat intolerance; fatigue; weight loss despite increased appetite; diarrhea; diaphoresis; palpitations; tremors; smooth, warm, flushed skin; fine, soft hair; exophthalmos; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis; and, in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
Tumors
An enlarged thyroid may result from a malignant tumor or a nonmalignant tumor (such as an adenoma). A malignant tumor usually appears as a single nodule in the neck; a nonmalignant tumor may appear as multiple nodules in the neck. Associated signs and symptoms include hoarseness, loss of voice, and dysphagia.
Thyroid tissue contained in ovarian dermoid tumors can function autonomously or in combination with thyrotoxicosis. Pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a rare type, are the only cause of normal or high TSH levels in association with thyrotoxicosis. Finally, high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, as seen in trophoblastic tumors and pregnant women, can cause thyrotoxicosis.
Other causes
Goitrogens
Goitrogens are drugs and substances in foods that decrease thyroxine production. Drugs containing goitrogens include lithium, sulfonamides, and para-aminosalicylic acid. Foods containing goitrogens include peanuts, cabbage, soybeans, strawberries, spinach, rutabagas, and radishes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Neck Mass/Thyroid Enlargement:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Neck Mass
❑ Inflammatory lymphadenopathy
❑ Parotid swelling/tumor
❑ Laryngeal cancer
❑ Intramuscular hematoma
❑ Lymphoma
❑ Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
❑ Branchial cleft cyst
❑ Thyroglossal duct cyst
❑ Supraclavicular adenopathy
❑ Aortic aneurysm
❑ Carotid aneurysm
❑ Ludwig angina
❑ Pharyngeal pouch
❑ Carotid body tumor
Thyroid Enlargement
❑ Simple goiter
❑ Hashimoto thyroiditis
❑ Grave disease
❑ Drugs
❑ Subacute thyroiditis
❑ Thyroid cancer
❑ Infiltrative disease
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Thyroid Nodule:
Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
❑ Hashimoto thyroiditis
❑ Multinodular goiter
❑ Follicular adenoma
❑ Thyroid cyst
❑ Thyroid carcinoma
❑ Subacute thyroiditis
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Thyroid cancer:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Predisposing factors include radiation exposure, prolonged thyrotropin stimulation (through radiation or heredity), familial predisposition, or chronic goiter.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Thyroiditis:
Causes
(Handbook of Diseases)
Autoimmune thyroiditis is due to antibodies to thyroid antigens. It may cause inflammation and lymphocytic infiltration (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Glandular atrophy and Graves’ disease are linked to autoimmune thyroiditis.
Postpartum thyroiditis (silent thyroiditis) is another form of autoimmune thyroiditis that occurs in women within 1 year after delivery.
Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis usually follows mumps, influenza, coxsackievirus, or adenovirus infection. Riedel’s thyroiditis is a rare condition of unknown etiology.
Miscellaneous thyroiditis results from bacterial invasion of the gland in acute suppurative thyroiditis; tuberculosis, syphilis, actinomycosis, or other infectious agents in the chronic infective form; and sarcoidosis and amyloidosis in chronic noninfective thyroiditis.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Thyroid enlargement:
Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Hypothyroidism
Besides an enlarged thyroid, signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain despite anorexia; fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
CULTURAL CUE:Goiters are common in areas of the world that are deficient in iodine, such as Asia, Latin America, Africa, and parts of Europe.
Thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis usually produces no symptoms other than thyroid enlargement. In subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, moderate thyroid enlargement may follow an upper respiratory infection or a sore throat. The thyroid may be painful and tender. Dysphagia may also occur.
Thyrotoxicosis
One of the classic features of thyrotoxicosis is an enlarged thyroid gland. Associated signs and symptoms include nervousness; heat intolerance; fatigue; weight loss despite increased appetite; diarrhea; sweating; palpitations; tremors; smooth, warm, flushed skin; fine, soft hair; exophthalmos; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis; and, in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
Tumors
An enlarged thyroid may result from a malignant tumor or a nonmalignant tumor (such as an adenoma). A malignant tumor usually appears as a single nodule in the neck; a nonmalignant tumor may appear as multiple nodules in the neck. Associated signs and symptoms include hoarseness, loss of voice, and dysphagia.
Other causes
Goitrogens
Goitrogens are drugs and substances in foods that decrease thyroxine production. Drugs include lithium, sulfonamides, phenylbutazone, and para-aminosalicylic acid. Foods containing goitrogens include peanuts, cabbage, soybeans, strawberries, spinach, rutabagas, and radishes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Thyroid enlargement:
Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Hypothyroidism.Hypothyroidism causes an enlarged thyroid. Additional signs and symptoms include weight gain despite anorexia; fatigue; cold intolerance; constipation; menorrhagia; slowed intellectual and motor activity; dry, pale, cool skin; dry, sparse hair; and thick, brittle nails. Eventually, the face assumes a dull expression with periorbital edema.
Iodine deficiency.A deficiency of iodine in the food or water of a particular area may cause an endemic goiter. Associated signs and symptoms of an endemic goiter include dysphagia, dyspnea, and tracheal deviation. This condition is uncommon in developed countries with iodized salt.
Thyroiditis.Autoimmune thyroiditis usually produces no symptoms other than thyroid enlargement.
Thyrotoxicosis.Signs and symptoms of thyrotoxicosis include an enlarged thyroid, nervousness; heat intolerance; fatigue; weight loss despite increased appetite; diarrhea; sweating; palpitations; tremors; smooth, warm, flushed skin; fine, soft hair; exophthalmos; nausea and vomiting due to increased GI motility and peristalsis; and, in females, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.
Tumors.An enlarged thyroid may result from a malignant tumor or a nonmalignant tumor (such as an adenoma). Associated signs and symptoms include hoarseness, loss of voice, and dysphagia.
Thyroid tissue contained in ovarian dermoid tumors can function autonomously or in combination with thyrotoxicosis. Pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a rare type, are the only cause of normal or high TSH levels in association with thyrotoxicosis. Finally, high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, as seen in trophoblastic tumors and pregnant women, can cause thyrotoxicosis.
Other causes
Goitrogens.Goitrogens are drugs—such as lithium, sulfonamides, phenylbutazone, and para-aminosalicylic acid—and substances in foods that decrease thyroxine production. Foods containing goitrogens include peanuts, cabbage, soybeans, strawberries, spinach, rutabagas, and radishes.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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