The Link Between Thyroid Cancer and Hypertension

There have been a number of studies carried out inlump in the neck, but there are also other physical
order to see what relation there is, if any, betweensymptoms that can show themselves; including a pain
thyroid problems and hypertension. However, is there ain the neck, which can travel up to the ear, difficulty
link between Thyroid Cancer and Hypertension?swallowing, feeling hoarse or suffering from a
In one study carried out on adults suffering from PHpersistent cough, or having a shortness of breath.
(pulmonary hypertension) it has been suggested thatAlthough, of course, many of the above symptoms
they may be at higher risk of getting a thyroid disease.could be associated with other conditions as well so it
In the study carried out by the Mayo Clinic inis worth having a check up if the symptoms persist.
Jacksonville, USA they studied 358 people over a 14The numbers of cases that are diagnosed with thyroid
year period. Over this time tests were performed andcancer do seem to be on the increase. It is not known
people where randomly selected to partake inwhy this is the case, although it may be due to the
particular parts of the study.better detection methods available.
Of the whole group being studied it was discoveredContinue reading to discover how you can sign up for
that 31% of them had some kind of thyroid diseasethe Free Banish High Blood Pressure Newsletter, and
present in the uncontrolled group. Whilst those thatfind out methods to lower blood pressure that really
were taking medication in order to control theirwork.
hypertension only 15% of these showed any form ofThe main link between thyroid cancer and
thyroid disease.hypertension seems to be in those that have one of
Yet even though there seemed to be a somewhatthe predominantly inherited conditions; Multiple endocrine
high prevalence of a thyroid disease in many of theneoplasia (MEN) syndromes. These syndromes are
subjects whilst treatment was being administered,rare and occur when a number of the endocrine
there seemed to be no correlation between thyroidglands develop non-cancerous or cancerous tumours
disease and the severity of the hypertension that theor they enlarge.
person was suffering from.There are considered to be three types of MEN,
However, the link between hypertension and thyroidwhich are type 1, type 2A and type 2B, and they all
cancer is less clear, but there is a link non-the less.increase the levels of hormones in the body.
It is thought that about 20,000 people are diagnosedFor those with MEN type 2 there is a high risk of the
each year with Thyroid cancer, the majority areperson developing medullary thyroid cancer, and about
diagnosed with Papillary and/ or follicular thyroid cancer,a 50% chance of them developing tumours of the
and in most cases the cancer can be cured.adrenal glands, which can raise blood pressure levels
It generally appears as a nodule, a growth in thebecause of the epinephrine and other substances that
thyroid gland, and is usually contained in the nodule andare released. This elevated blood pressure can be
so reducing the risk of metastasis.intermittent or persistent and often can be severe.
However, just because a nodule is present it does notThere is a link between Thyroid Cancer and
mean a person has cancer. In about 99% of cases,Hypertension, but in the majority of cases, those with
the nodules in the thyroid turn out to be benign andthyroid cancer are treated successfully with few
non-cancerous.complications.
The most common sign of a nodule in the thyroid is a