Can I have a physical examination for thyroid cancer

If you suspect or confirm that you have thyroid cancer, you can have a physical examination. Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium. Its incidence is relatively low, but it has gradually increased in recent years and has become one of the fastest growing solid tumors. Patients with thyroid cancer may have no obvious symptoms and signs in the early stages, and metastasis is prone to occur. The prognosis is related to the time of discovery.

1. Circumstances in which a physical examination can be performed

1. Clinical manifestations: Some patients will find thyroid lumps during physical examinations. They are hard, uneven, irregular in shape, with unclear boundaries, adhered to surrounding tissues, fixed, and without obvious tenderness. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as hoarseness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing may occur.

2. Imaging examination: If ultrasound examination shows that the thyroid nodules are irregular in shape, with an aspect ratio greater than 1, abundant blood flow signals, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes, it indicates a high possibility of thyroid cancer. In addition, radionuclide imaging examination can show radioactive concentration in the nodules, which can also assist in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

3. Pathological biopsy: Through fine needle aspiration cytology examination, it is determined whether there are cancer cells, or a small piece of diseased tissue is directly removed surgically, and then a pathological examination is performed to determine whether thyroid cancer is present.

2. Situations where physical examination cannot be performed

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you do not need to undergo a physical examination because the disease is already in the late stage and even active treatment will not achieve the desired effect. It is recommended to go to the hospital in time and choose the appropriate treatment method according to the specific situation under the guidance of the doctor, such as surgical treatment, radioactive iodine-131 treatment, and systemic chemotherapy.

In addition, since thyroid cancer has a certain genetic tendency, when someone in the family has the disease, the risk of others getting sick will also increase. You should go to the hospital for regular physical examinations to achieve early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. You should also pay attention to a healthy diet, avoid consuming too much iodine, and exercise appropriately to strengthen your physical fitness.