Early symptoms of thyroid cancer

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on January 21, 2025
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In the early stages, most thyroid cancer patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms. A minority of patients may inadvertently find that thyroid nodules grow rapidly and these nodules have slightly limited mobility and mild pain upon palpation. Some patients with medullary thyroid cancer may experience symptoms like facial flushing early on due to abnormal hormone secretion in the body. Additionally, clinical symptoms are not commonly seen in the early stages of thyroid cancer. Only as the disease progresses can symptoms such as neck lumps from regional lymph node metastasis, as well as distant spread, cause clinical symptoms like neck swelling, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

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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.

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Written by Yan Chun
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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
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 Cui Fang Bo
Oncology
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What fruits are good to eat for thyroid cancer?

Many fruits can be consumed by patients with thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer currently has a high incidence rate in our country. For patients suspected of having thyroid cancer, a thyroid nodule puncture can be performed. After the puncture, if diagnosed with thyroid cancer, surgery is the preferred treatment. Patients who have undergone surgery often suffer from malnutrition due to the surgical expenditure, and therefore, special attention should be paid to the arrangement of nutritional intake. In terms of nutritional intake, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables is a very good choice. There are no specific contraindications indicating that patients with thyroid cancer cannot eat certain foods. Also, when it comes to consuming fruits, many types of fruits are available for selection. It is important to note that one should avoid eating raw, cold, or spoiled fruits; other fresh fruits and vegetables can be consumed.

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How is thyroid cancer caused?

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.