Thyroid cancer ultrasound manifestations

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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The characteristics of ultrasonography for thyroid cancer include the tumor being a solid hypoechoic mass with unclear boundaries, uneven internal echoes, abundant internal blood flow, and the presence of sandy calcifications and longitudinal growth, among others. Currently, ultrasonography is the preferred method for examining thyroid nodules. It can clearly identify the number, nature, and location of thyroid nodules, as well as whether there are any abnormally enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Ultrasonography is highly accurate in differentiating the nature of thyroid nodules, with experienced ultrasonographers reaching an accuracy rate of over 80%. However, the highest accuracy in differentiating the nature of thyroid nodules is still achieved with fine-needle aspiration cytology.

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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 Gong Chun
Oncology
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Symptoms of thyroid cancer

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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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Can occasional smoking and drinking be okay with thyroid cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor in the head and neck area, and currently, the exact mechanism and etiological causes of thyroid cancer are not clearly defined in the clinic. However, some research studies indicate that there are certain factors associated with the incidence of thyroid cancer. For example, ionizing radiation, prolonged exposure can lead to the occurrence of thyroid cancer. Both insufficient and excessive iodine intake can lead to a high incidence of thyroid cancer. Genetic factors also play a significant role in the development of thyroid cancer. Excessive smoking and drinking can promote the occurrence of thyroid cancer. Therefore, heavy smoking and drinking are not recommended, but occasional smoking and drinking do not significantly impact the condition of thyroid cancer and are deemed acceptable. Moreover, for patients with thyroid cancer, treatment is primarily surgical, as radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not very sensitive anti-tumor treatments.

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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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Is thyroid swelling malignancy the same as thyroid cancer?

Thyroid malignancy refers to thyroid cancer, but even malignant thyroid cancer generally has a good prognosis. However, it is crucial to achieve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. It is advised to promptly visit a thyroid specialty department for comprehensive examinations, including thyroid ultrasound, evaluation of thyroid function, and related thyroid antibodies. A fine needle aspiration biopsy should be conducted for a clear pathological diagnosis, followed by immediate active treatment, primarily surgical. Thyroid cancer includes papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and undifferentiated cancer. The surgery mainly involves minimally invasive and traditional methods. Post-surgery, it is recommended to perform lymph node dissection, assess the extent of metastasis, and decide whether to proceed with Iodine-131 radiotherapy. Due to the loss of thyroid function, proactive thyroid hormone replacement therapy is advised, along with dynamic monitoring of thyroid health through ultrasound and related examinations.