Thyroid cancer. View of the swollen neck of a 94 year old woman caused by thyroid cancer and a goitre. Goitre is a swelling of the thyroid gland usual

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Thyroid cancer. View of the swollen neck of a 94 year old woman caused by thyroid cancer and a goitre. Goitre is a swelling of the thyroid gland usually caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce several hormones essential for regulating the metabolism. Thyroid cancer is fairly rare, and also causes swelling. The main symptoms are caused by the growing cancer putting pressure on surrounding structures, such as the throat and voice-box, which can cause difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. It is treated by removal of the gland (thyroidectomy) backed up with radioactive iodine therapy. The prognosis is generally very good.

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Size: 4835px × 3310px
Photo credit: © DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: cancer, elderly, goitre, neck, swollen, thyroid, woman