The couple, Hoa and Thao, had no noticeable symptoms. However, a thyroid ultrasound at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City revealed a 10 mm nodule on Hoa's left thyroid lobe and a 5 mm nodule on both Thao's left and right lobes, along with several unusual neck lymph nodes. Fine-needle aspiration biopsies confirmed papillary thyroid cancer in both individuals.

Doctor Huynh Ba Tan, from the Breast - Head and Neck Surgery Department, explained that thyroid cancer can occur in family members due to factors such as genetics, gene abnormalities, immune disorders, hormonal changes, or an unhealthy lifestyle. Currently, the exact cause of the couple's cancer remains undetermined.

Hoa and Thao underwent surgery on the same day. Hoa had his left thyroid lobe removed, while Thao underwent a total thyroidectomy with removal of level 6 lymph nodes. The surgeon carefully preserved both recurrent laryngeal nerves to protect their vocal cords and all 4 parathyroid glands to maintain calcium balance.

Post-surgery, both patients recovered well and resumed normal activities. Pathology reports indicated that the tumors had not spread. Thao will require lifelong hormone replacement therapy, while Hoa, experiencing no vocal cord paralysis, needs no further treatment.

Doctor Tan (center) performing a total thyroidectomy on Thao. Photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctor Tan advised the couple to undergo regular check-ups to monitor their condition. He emphasized the importance of early examination for any family members experiencing neck lumps, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, shortness of breath, or swollen lymph nodes. He also recommended maintaining a safe living environment, a healthy diet, and avoiding excessive or insufficient iodine intake.

Hoa and Thao, one day after their surgeries. Photo: *Minh Tam*

Doctor Tan noted other cancers that can occur in couples, including lung, stomach, colon, liver, and cervical cancers. According to 2022 Globocan statistics, the incidence of thyroid cancer is 9.10 cases per 100,000 people annually. The probability of both spouses developing the disease isn't entirely random and can increase due to shared environmental factors (like exposure to radiation, chemicals, or water sources) or dietary habits (such as being overweight or having an iodine deficiency or excess).

Thyroid cancer is more common in adults, with women at higher risk than men. Primary treatments include surgical removal of one or both thyroid lobes, removal of surrounding lymph nodes (if there is regional metastasis), and radioactive iodine therapy.

There are 4 types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Early-stage papillary thyroid cancer has a positive prognosis, with a 10-year survival rate potentially reaching 100%, according to Doctor Tan. Early-stage thyroid cancer often presents no obvious symptoms. Regular check-ups are crucial for early detection, diagnosis, and timely treatment.

Minh Tam

*Names have been changed.