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

Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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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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Early symptoms of thyroid cancer

Early symptoms of thyroid cancer: First, differentiated thyroid cancer often exhibits no symptoms in its early stages, only accidentally discovered nodules that vary in size and texture on the front of the neck. Some patients are only diagnosed during routine physical exams or through imaging studies, with clinical symptoms being relatively rare. However, more symptoms and signs may appear in the later stages. Second, medullary thyroid cancer presents some unique symptoms, such as persistent diarrhea, typically watery, and a syndrome involving the endocrine system. Patients may exhibit facial flushing, elevated blood pressure, and decreased blood calcium levels, accompanied by other conditions, such as parathyroid adenomas, multiple mucosal neuromas, and pheochromocytomas, which also manifest specific symptoms.

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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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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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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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Differences between the symptoms of thyroiditis and thyroid cancer

Thyroiditis, if it is acute suppurative thyroiditis, clinical manifestations include fever, local pain in the thyroid, tenderness on palpation, and a hard texture of the thyroid. Examination will show an increase in white blood cells. Subacute thyroiditis may also present with mild fever or high fever and local pain in the thyroid, but compared to suppurative thyroiditis, the increase in white blood cell levels is not as significant in subacute thyroiditis. If it is autoimmune thyroiditis, there may not be obvious symptoms clinically; there may be enlargement of the thyroid, and the thyroid may feel tougher upon palpation. As for thyroid cancer, clinically, if it does not cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, there are no specific symptoms. When the cancerous tumor is large, there may be an enlargement of the thyroid, the texture of the enlarged thyroid will be very hard, and there will be notable local adhesions. Of course, the main difference can be detected and diagnosed through an ultrasound examination.