Symptoms of thyroid cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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The symptoms of thyroid cancer, the first point is the clinical manifestations of differentiated thyroid cancer. Most differentiated thyroid cancers are asymptomatic, with only occasional palpable nodules of varying sizes and textures, which can sometimes be detected in routine physical and imaging examinations. A few advanced thyroid cancers may produce noticeable symptoms due to large nodules or invasion of surrounding organs, such as compression of the trachea causing breathing difficulties, difficulty swallowing due to pressure on the esophagus, and hoarseness due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The second point concerns the specific clinical manifestations of medullary thyroid carcinoma. The specific symptoms of medullary thyroid cancer include persistent watery diarrhea, not accompanied by severe malabsorption in the large intestine, often with facial flushing, some endocrine syndromes, and some associated conditions such as pheochromocytoma, multiple mucosal neuromas, and parathyroid adenomas.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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Early symptoms of thyroid cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages, with only incidental palpation of nodules of various sizes and textures on the front of the neck. Some patients may find abnormalities during routine physical examinations through imaging studies, and symptoms may appear only in the later stages. The second point concerns the characteristics of medullary thyroid cancer, which exhibits specific symptoms early on, such as persistent, watery diarrhea. Additionally, this cancer involves an endocrine syndrome, where tumor cells secrete calcitonin and adrenocorticotropic hormone, potentially leading to facial flushing, elevated blood pressure, and reduced blood calcium. This may be associated with other conditions such as pheochromocytoma, multiple mucosal neuromas, and parathyroid adenomas, which can also cause corresponding symptoms.

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Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
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Is a hypoechoic area definitely thyroid cancer?

A thyroid nodule underwent an ultrasound B-examination and showed hypoechoic features, but this does not necessarily indicate thyroid cancer. It is essential to conduct relevant tests to determine the cause. For such thyroid nodules, it is first important to check their specific size. If there is concern about the presence of a malignant tumor, it is advisable to perform a fine needle aspiration for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. If the thyroid nodule exceeds one centimeter and causes local pain or affects surrounding blood vessels, leading to symptoms of compression, it is recommended that patients should promptly undergo surgical removal for treatment.

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Written by Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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Is thyroid cancer without lymph node metastasis considered early stage?

Thyroid cancer, if it has not metastasized to lymph nodes, generally falls under early-stage. Once thyroid cancer is diagnosed, surgical removal is the primary treatment choice. Postoperative treatments vary depending on the different pathological types of thyroid cancer. For the most common type, papillary carcinoma, if the surgery is radically curative, further treatment may not be necessary, and merely supplementing thyroid hormones suffices. In cases such as follicular carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, or medullary carcinoma, even after surgically radical removal, postoperative treatment often requires further radiotherapy or treatment with Iodine-131, depending on the surgical pathology results. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Will thyroid cancer spread if surgery is not performed immediately after a biopsy?

Thyroid cancer, after undergoing a fine needle biopsy, may spread if surgery cannot be performed immediately, which is a risk of the thyroid cancer biopsy. Fine needle biopsy of the thyroid is a method for obtaining histopathological results and is a gold standard for the clinical diagnosis of thyroid cancer. A biopsy is an invasive examination that causes some degree of harm to the body, hence, informed consent must be obtained from the patient before proceeding. After the biopsy, complications such as local bleeding, swelling, pain, and infection may occur, and the spread of cancer cells at the biopsy site is a significant adverse effect. Therefore, for most thyroid cancer patients, it is advisable to arrange surgery as soon as possible after a biopsy to prevent the disease from spreading.

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Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
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Characteristics of thyroid cancer lymph node enlargement

Thyroid cancer is a type of malignant tumor. However, if it is detected early, diagnosed early, and treated early, it generally has a relatively good prognosis compared to other malignant tumors. Once a patient is afflicted with this disease, it is crucial to seek treatment promptly. Without treatment, thyroid cancer can spread to lymph nodes. Initially, the cancerous lymph nodes may invade surrounding blood vessels and nerves, leading to symptoms such as hoarseness. If it compresses the throat area, it can cause discomfort in the throat accompanied by breathing difficulties and coughing while drinking. If the optimal time for treatment is missed, cancer cells can spread, potentially moving not only to the lungs but also to the respiratory system and bones, among other distant sites.