How is thyroid cancer caused?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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The causes of thyroid cancer are similar to those of most other malignancies. The etiology of thyroid cancer is not yet clear, but some factors are found to be associated with its occurrence: The first is neck radiation. The thyroid is an endocrine organ, sensitive to radiation. Radiation exposure can potentially cause thyroid cells to become cancerous, especially in those who received high doses of neck radiation in childhood and are more susceptible to thyroid cancer. The second factor is genetics; some thyroid cancers have a clear genetic predisposition, the most typical being medullary thyroid cancer. The third point is that the rapid increase in the incidence rate of thyroid cancer is partly due to the advancement in early diagnostic techniques, allowing for the detection of many early-stage lesions. Of course, iodine intake has already been shown to be related to some benign thyroid conditions. However, its relationship with thyroid cancer requires further study.

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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.

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Can someone with thyroid cancer occasionally eat barbecue?

Patients with thyroid cancer can occasionally eat barbecue, but should limit their intake of such foods. This is because thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck area, and its exact cause is still unclear. The mechanism of its development is also not clearly understood. However, the high incidence of thyroid cancer is related to certain factors such as radiation, viral infections, or genetic factors, and both iodine deficiency and excess can lead to a high incidence of thyroid cancer. Barbecued foods are not beneficial for the recovery from thyroid cancer, therefore it is clinically advised to reduce intake. However, eating it occasionally does not have a significant impact on the overall health of patients, so it can be consumed in moderation. Additionally, for patients with thyroid cancer, the diet should mainly be easy to digest, non-irritating, and should enhance bodily immune strength.

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Written by Yan Chun
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What are the early symptoms of thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck area. The early symptoms of thyroid cancer are highly atypical, and many patients do not present clear early symptoms. Often, patients discover painless nodules in the thyroid incidentally during physical examinations; these nodules can move up and down with swallowing motions. In a minority of cases, when the nodules of early-stage thyroid cancer are large, they can cause hoarseness or coughing and choking when drinking water. Some patients might experience intermittent, hidden pain in the thyroid area during the early stages, which often resolves on its own without treatment. Besides these, in its early stages, thyroid cancer may not present other obvious symptoms. As the condition progresses, significant clinical symptoms appear only when the tumor invades surrounding structures or metastasizes to distant sites.

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Does hypothyroidism lead to thyroid cancer?

Hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer are two different types of thyroid diseases; hypothyroidism does not cause thyroid cancer, and there is no necessary connection between the two. Hypothyroidism refers to a decrease in thyroid function levels, caused by abnormalities in the secretion and synthesis functions of the thyroid, closely related to disorders of the endocrine system. In contrast, thyroid cancer is a change in tissue nature due to malignant transformation in thyroid tissue cells, it is not related to the thyroid's endocrine functions, and currently, there is no research indicating that hypothyroidism increases the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer. Patients with thyroid diseases should undergo dynamic thyroid ultrasonography and monitoring of thyroid function to further clarify their condition.

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Can hypothyroidism in women lead to thyroid cancer?

Women with hypothyroidism generally do not develop thyroid tumors, as there is no necessary correlation between the two. Hypothyroidism is caused by a decrease in the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones in the body, leading to a series of symptoms associated with a slowed metabolic rate. The occurrence of hypothyroidism is due to a reduction in the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones, while thyroid cancer is mainly due to a change in the nature of the thyroid tissue. Decreased thyroid function is caused by an abnormality in thyroid secretion function. Therefore, it is advised that such patients should not worry too much, avoid placing too much mental and psychological stress on themselves, maintain a good daily routine, avoid staying up late, smoking, or drinking alcohol, and regularly review their thyroid ultrasound and thyroid function to dynamically observe the occurrence and development of thyroid diseases.