Early symptoms and manifestations of thyroid cancer

Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

Updated on October 21, 2024

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Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck area. Early symptoms and signs primarily include a thyroid mass discovered incidentally during a physical examination. This type of mass grows quickly, leading to localized thyroid enlargement, and patients may experience discomfort when swallowing. Additionally, some thyroid cancer patients, due to abnormal hormone secretion, might experience unexplained skin flushing or sweating symptoms. Besides, early symptoms and manifestations of thyroid cancer are not typical, and many patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms. Instead, abnormalities in thyroid function are often incidentally found during physical examinations.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 16sec

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How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?

The first point is the diagnostic process for differentiated thyroid cancer. Initially, most patients may not have symptoms, while a minority might show symptoms due to invasion of surrounding organs. Ultrasound examination is the preferred method for diagnosing thyroid nodules. Ultrasound can clarify the number, nature, and location of thyroid nodules, as well as provide information on whether there are abnormally enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. It has a relatively high accuracy in identifying the nature of thyroid nodules. Currently, the most accurate test for determining the nature of thyroid nodules remains the fine needle aspiration cytology, which has a diagnostic sensitivity of 83-92% and specificity of 80-92%, but it is not 100% conclusive. The second point is about the diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer. Besides the tests common for thyroid cancers, additional tests for medullary thyroid cancer can include fine needle aspiration, ultrasound, and some serological tests, such as calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen tests.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 2sec

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Late-stage symptoms of thyroid cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer, in its advanced stages, can exhibit noticeable symptoms due to large nodules or invasion of surrounding organs. For example, a massive nodule pressing on the trachea can cause breathing difficulties, including respiratory distress. Compression of the esophagus can lead to swallowing difficulties, and pressure on the recurrent laryngeal nerve may result in symptoms like hoarseness. Even very few benign thyroid nodules can cause edema and inflammation by compressing these nerves. Therefore, differentiation and distinctive treatment are essential, along with a pathological diagnosis. Medullary thyroid cancer also presents specific symptoms, including persistent diarrhea, endocrine syndromes, and other accompanying conditions such as pheochromocytoma, multiple mucosal neuromas, and symptoms and signs caused by parathyroid adenomas.

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Written by Sun Ming Yue

Medical Oncology

46sec

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Is there an abnormality in the routine blood test for thyroid cancer?

If you have thyroid cancer, it is advised that patients promptly visit a formal hospital for examination. If one undergoes a routine blood test, generally there will be no abnormalities. This test can reveal the number of platelets, the presence of anemia, or the state of white blood cells, which are not related to the thyroid. Therefore, if thyroid cancer patients undergo routine blood tests, typically no abnormalities will be found. In daily life, patients should ensure they rest sufficiently, engage in less physically demanding exercise, maintain a cheerful mood, plan their three meals a day wisely, and pay attention to nutritious diet planning.

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Written by Yan Chun

Oncology

56sec

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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 Chen Xie

Endocrinology

59sec

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What are the clinical manifestations of thyroid cancer?

For patients with thyroid cancer, the most common clinical manifestation is thyroid nodules, and most patients do not have obvious clinical symptoms, only being incidentally discovered during physical examinations. In rare cases, patients may seek medical attention due to enlarged cervical lymph nodes. As the condition progresses, the neck mass gradually enlarges, becomes firmer, and its mobility decreases during swallowing. In some rapid developments, it may invade surrounding tissues, leading to late-stage symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing. When the cervical sympathetic nerve is compressed, it can cause pain in the ears, occipital region, and shoulders. In the case of medullary carcinoma, which can produce serotonin and calcitonin, patients may sometimes experience symptoms such as diarrhea, palpitations, facial flushing, or decreased blood calcium levels.