How to treat differentiated thyroid cancer

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on May 09, 2025
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The so-called differentiated thyroid cancers include two types: papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. Their treatment methods consist of the following: First, surgical treatment is a primary treatment strategy for early-stage differentiated thyroid cancers, involving radical surgical removal. After surgery, some patients need to take medications to supplement thyroid hormones. Secondly, for patients with advanced differentiated thyroid cancers, the main comprehensive treatment measures include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Additionally, postoperative early-stage patients can also undergo treatment with Iodine-131 to monitor changes in the condition and provide internal radiation treatment to control the progression of the disease. Internal radiation treatment can be performed multiple times.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What department should thyroid cancer see?

Firstly, thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the neck area. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with the most professional oncology department for diagnosis and treatment when the disease occurs. If thyroid cancer is operable, surgery can be performed by the head and neck surgery department. After surgical treatment, if radiotherapy and chemotherapy are needed, it is still recommended to see an oncologist for treatment and specific therapies. Thus, different departments may be consulted during different stages of the disease, but the primary recommendation is still to seek treatment from the oncology department.

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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.

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Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
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Early symptoms and manifestations of thyroid cancer

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 Yan Chun
Oncology
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Can thyroid cancer cause an itchy throat and cough?

Patients with thyroid cancer may experience symptoms such as throat itching and coughing. The causes can be considered from the following aspects: Firstly, thyroid cancer tends to metastasize to the lungs through the bloodstream. Once lung metastasis occurs, respiratory symptoms will appear, including throat itching and coughing. Additionally, these symptoms may also arise from a decrease in immunity following chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatments for thyroid cancer, leading to concurrent lung infections. Thirdly, some patients with thyroid cancer may have invasion of nearby organs, such as the esophagus or airways, which can also lead to symptoms of throat itching and coughing. In terms of treatment, apart from symptomatic drug therapy, it is paramount to administer systemic anti-tumor treatments. Effective control of thyroid cancer is essential to alleviate these clinical symptoms.

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Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
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Can people with normal thyroid function get thyroid cancer?

Thyroid function and thyroid cancer are not necessarily related. It is possible to have thyroid cancer even when thyroid function is normal. Clinically, thyroid cancer is usually detected by color ultrasound. Clinicians will classify thyroid nodules based on their size, texture, growth direction, presence of blood flow signals, clarity of boundaries, infiltration of surrounding tissues, and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes. Nodules classified as categories one to three generally have a benign tendency, and regular follow-up appointments are sufficient. If the nodules are classified as categories four to five, they are suggestive of malignancy, and it is recommended to perform thyroid fine needle aspiration or surgery to determine the pathological type of the nodules.