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Tribune News Network
Doha
THE Thyroid Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has been receiving an increasing number of malignant cancer cases every year since its opening in 2015, Dr Mohamed Salem al Hassan, chair of Surgical Oncology at HMC and chair of the Thyroid Multidisciplinary Team, has said.
The unit has received more than 1,200 cases, including 681 benign and 549 malignant cases so far, he added.
“From 2015 to 2019, we recorded a total of 549 newly diagnosed cases of malignant thyroid cancer, 20 percent of whom were Qataris and 80 percent non-Qataris. This signals an increase in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year. It is noteworthy that the incidence of thyroid cancer in is similar to that of other developed countries,” said Dr Hassan. The Thyroid Unit cared for 101 patients comprising 58 malignant and 43 benign cases at the time of opening, which quadrupled to 406 in 2019.
There are four main types of thyroid cancer, with papillary carcinoma being the most common and occurring more frequently in women.
“In Qatar, thyroid cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women, after breast cancer. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the predominant histological type of thyroid cancer seen here in Qatar, followed by follicular carcinoma. Papillary thyroid cancer is a slow-growing cancer that can usually be cured, unlike follicular carcinoma which is typically a bit more malignant (aggressive). Follicular thyroid cancer occurs in a slightly older age group than papillary cancer and is also less common in children,” noted Dr Hassan.
Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). These hormones play a role in certain bodily functions, including body temperature, mood, pulse rate and digestion.
According to Dr Hassan, the thyroid gland, through the hormones it produces, influences almost all metabolic processes in the body.
While thyroid cancer is more common in people who have a history of exposure to high doses of radiation, have a family history of thyroid cancer, and are older than 40 years of age, many people who get the disease have few or no known risk factors.
Dr Hassan said most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated early.
“The treatments for thyroid cancer include surgery, radioactive iodine treatment, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. However, very rear cases will receive external beam radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” he adds.
Doha
THE Thyroid Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has been receiving an increasing number of malignant cancer cases every year since its opening in 2015, Dr Mohamed Salem al Hassan, chair of Surgical Oncology at HMC and chair of the Thyroid Multidisciplinary Team, has said.
The unit has received more than 1,200 cases, including 681 benign and 549 malignant cases so far, he added.
“From 2015 to 2019, we recorded a total of 549 newly diagnosed cases of malignant thyroid cancer, 20 percent of whom were Qataris and 80 percent non-Qataris. This signals an increase in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year. It is noteworthy that the incidence of thyroid cancer in is similar to that of other developed countries,” said Dr Hassan. The Thyroid Unit cared for 101 patients comprising 58 malignant and 43 benign cases at the time of opening, which quadrupled to 406 in 2019.
There are four main types of thyroid cancer, with papillary carcinoma being the most common and occurring more frequently in women.
“In Qatar, thyroid cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women, after breast cancer. Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the predominant histological type of thyroid cancer seen here in Qatar, followed by follicular carcinoma. Papillary thyroid cancer is a slow-growing cancer that can usually be cured, unlike follicular carcinoma which is typically a bit more malignant (aggressive). Follicular thyroid cancer occurs in a slightly older age group than papillary cancer and is also less common in children,” noted Dr Hassan.
Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, below the Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland produces the hormones thyroxine (also called T4) and triiodothyronine (also called T3). These hormones play a role in certain bodily functions, including body temperature, mood, pulse rate and digestion.
According to Dr Hassan, the thyroid gland, through the hormones it produces, influences almost all metabolic processes in the body.
While thyroid cancer is more common in people who have a history of exposure to high doses of radiation, have a family history of thyroid cancer, and are older than 40 years of age, many people who get the disease have few or no known risk factors.
Dr Hassan said most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated early.
“The treatments for thyroid cancer include surgery, radioactive iodine treatment, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy. However, very rear cases will receive external beam radiation therapy and chemotherapy,” he adds.
