We may look fit and healthy but we all live in fear of invisible killers striking again...
What To Expect When Thyroid Cancer Spreads
Signs that thyroid cancer has spread depend on the location of the spread and the type of thyroid cancer. Common signs include a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness.
Signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer typically depend on how far the cancer has spread. In the earlier stages of thyroid cancer, you may not experience any symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they typically affect the area around your thyroid gland, like your throat and neck.
When thyroid cancer spreads to other areas of your body (metastasizes), more widespread symptoms tend to show up. Here's what to look out for.
When thyroid cancer spreads and becomes metastatic thyroid cancer, it may cause different symptoms depending on the part of your body affected. Later stages of thyroid cancer may also cause more noticeable symptoms in the area around your thyroid.
Metastatic thyroid cancer often spreads to the following locations:
Signs that thyroid cancer has spread may differ depending on the location of the cancer.
ThyroidMetastatic thyroid cancer may cause symptoms in your neck and throat, near your thyroid gland.
Symptoms can include:
When thyroid cancer metastasizes, the lymph nodes in your neck are one of the most commonly affected areas. This is known as localized spread. Symptoms can include:
You have lymph nodes throughout your body. In rare cases, thyroid cancer may spread to these other lymph nodes.
LungsIn some cases, thyroid cancer spreads beyond your thyroid and lymph nodes. This is known as distant metastasis. The lungs are the most common site of distant metastasis in thyroid cancer.
Most people with thyroid cancer that's spread to the lungs don't experience any symptoms. But some do.
Symptoms may include:
Thyroid cancer may also spread to your bones, but this is uncommon. Bone metastasis develops in around 4% of people with thyroid cancer.
If thyroid cancer does spread to your bones, it typically affects your:
Symptoms in these bones may include:
In rare cases, thyroid cancer spreads to your liver. This happens in less than 1% of people who develop thyroid cancer.
Because this type of metastasis is so rare, researchers don't know a lot about it or its symptoms. Symptoms could include persistent abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It's sometimes referred to as differentiated thyroid cancer.
Papillary thyroid cancer usually affects just one lobe of your thyroid gland. It typically grows slowly, but if it spreads, it can metastasize to the lymph nodes in your neck.
Metastatic papillary thyroid cancer can often be successfully treated.
Follicular cancer is the second most common type of thyroid cancer. When it spreads, it typically affects your lungs or bones. It can cause many of the symptoms listed above.
In most cases, treatment outcomes for people with follicular thyroid cancer are very good.
Medullary thyroid cancer is less common, affecting only around 4% of all people with thyroid cancer. When it spreads, medullary thyroid cancer tends to affect your lymph nodes, lungs, or liver.
Medullary thyroid cancer tends to be more difficult to treat than other forms of thyroid cancer.
This type of cancer spreads quickly. It can affect the lymph nodes in your neck as well as other parts of your body.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer, also known as undifferentiated carcinoma, is rare. It accounts for only 2% of people with thyroid cancer. It can develop on its own or from an existing papillary or follicular cancer.
People with anaplastic thyroid cancer have a poorer outlook than those with other types of thyroid cancer.
Here are some common questions about thyroid cancer and how it spreads.
How long can you have thyroid cancer without knowing?It's possible to have thyroid cancer and not know it for a long time. Symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other, less serious health issues. For some people, it can be months or even years before they get a diagnosis.
Where is the first place thyroid cancer spreads?It depends on the type:
Metastatic thyroid cancer is most likely to spread to your lymph nodes. Depending on the type of thyroid cancer you have, it may also spread to your bones, lungs, and liver.
Most people with thyroid cancer will have a localized form, but it's possible for it to spread to other areas of your body. It most commonly affects your lymph nodes. But it may also metastasize to your bones, lungs, and liver.
Catching metastatic thyroid cancer as early as possible can help improve your treatment outcomes.
This Thyroid Surgery Leaves No Scar: Expert Explains Scarless Robotic Surgery For Thyroid Tumours
Thyroid disorders are widespread, mostly benign, but 5% are malignant, requiring surgery based on factors like cosmetic concerns or compression. Conventional thyroid surgery may leave scars and lead to complications. However, recent advancements have introduced scarless robotic surgery as an innovative alternative, offering several advantages, including minimal scarring, reduced blood loss, enhanced precision, and accelerated recovery.
We spoke to Dr Akshat Malik, Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, who explained scarless thyroidectomy, its benefits, and how it is performed.
Dr Malik said that non-cancerous or benign thyroid swellings may be closely monitored, with surgical intervention considered only when they cause cosmetic concerns or compression of vital neck structures. He added, "For thyroid cancer cases, the course of treatment is influenced by various factors, including age, sex, lesion size, and the presence of lymph nodes or distant metastasis. Surgical options may involve hemithyroidectomy (removing half of the affected gland) or total thyroidectomy (complete thyroid gland removal). Excision of lymph nodes in the neck and chest may also be necessary if they are involved."
Also Read: Hypothyroidism And Weight Loss: Expert Lists Tips To Lose Weight With This Health Condition
Complications Of Thyroid SurgeryDr Malik said, "After thyroid surgery, some common problems can include issues with your vocal cords and hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in your blood). Vocal cord nerve injury during surgery or the necessity to excise it due to disease involvement may result in temporary or permanent hoarseness. Permanent cord palsy occurs in less than 5% of cases. If the blood supply to the parathyroid glands, responsible for calcium balance, is compromised during thyroid surgery, patients may experience hypocalcemia, requiring calcium supplementation. In cases of complete thyroidectomy, lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation may be necessary."
What Is Scarless Thyroidectomy?Dr Malik said, "Conventional thyroidectomy typically involves an incision in the neck. In contrast, scarless thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure performed without any visible or apparent neck scars. Access to the thyroid gland is achieved from a distant location, which can be behind the ear, from the chest, or within the mouth."
According to Karger e-Jorunal 2018, robotic thyroidectomy exhibits superior results compared to open surgery when considering specific patient-reported outcome measures, such as the appearance of scars and pain levels.
How Are These Surgeries Performed?Dr Malik added, "To reach the thyroid gland from a distance, doctors make certain changes during surgery. They can use special tools that are small and go inside your neck or even use robots to help. Robots are often a good choice because they can be very precise and make it easier to do the surgery."
Also Read: Rapid Heartbeat To Constant Fatigue: Expert Explains Thyroid Storm, A Life-Threatening Disease
What Is The Advantage Of Robotic Surgery?Dr Malik informed, "Trained Head and Neck Robotic surgeons perform these surgeries using a surgical robot equipped with small arms that allow for precise instrument placement through smaller incisions and areas. The surgeon operates from a separate console, offering a three-dimensional view of the surgical site, ensuring precise control throughout the entire procedure."
How Is The Recovery Following These Surgeries?Dr Malik said, "Following surgery, patients can resume normal activities, eating, and drinking on the same day. A drain may be used temporarily to remove collected blood. Also, there are no dietary or activity restrictions."
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by a registered medical practitioner and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult with your expert for a treatment plan tailored to your requirements.]
What Can Cause Diarrhea And Chest Pain?
Chest pain and diarrhea are common symptoms that may occur together. However, they are often symptoms of different conditions as only a few rare conditions link the two symptoms.
Only a few rare illnesses cause chest pain and diarrhea. For example, people with Whipple disease, a bacterial infection, may have both symptoms. Experts estimate the overall incidence as 1–3 for every million people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coxiella burnetii, another bacterial infection, may cause chest pain and diarrhea. The common name for this infection is Q fever, and it is usually associated with people who work with goats, sheep, and cattle.
However, chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, so a person experiencing chest pain with or without diarrhea may need to consult a doctor.
This article explores some conditions that may cause chest pain or diarrhea. It also highlights the signs of a heart attack and explains when to seek medical help.
A 2022 paper describes chest pain as visceral or somatic. Experts explain that people experience visceral pain as deep, dull pain that feels constricting or squeezing. People with somatic pain may describe it as stabbing or sharp.
The American Heart Association (AHA) stresses the importance of recognizing heart attack symptoms and getting medical attention quickly. However, the AHA stresses that chest pain does not automatically mean a person is having a heart attack.
Other causes of chest pain include:
Learn more about causes of chest pain.
Doctors diagnose a person with diarrhea if they pass loose, watery stools three or more times per day, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The most likely causes are infections, food allergies or intolerances, and digestive tract disorders.
Possible causes of diarrhea include:
Learn about foods to eat for diarrhea.
Chest pain is one of the telltale signs of a heart attack. Anyone experiencing pain, squeezing, or discomfort lasting more than a few minutes in the center or left-hand side of their chest needs medical attention.
They should also seek medical help if the pain spreads across their jaw, neck, arms, and back or if they are experiencing shortness of breath.
The NIDDK warns that people with diarrhea are at risk of dehydration, especially if their diarrhea lasts longer than a few days. A person should contact a doctor if:
Chest pain and diarrhea are common symptoms of different conditions. Only a few rare conditions link the two symptoms.
There are many reasons people experience chest pain and diarrhea. Anyone experiencing chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes or keeps coming back must contact a doctor.
If a person has severe diarrhea for longer than 2 days or if they are becoming dehydrated, they will also require medical assistance.
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