Can thyroid cancer pass the physical examination?

Patients with thyroid cancer can undergo a physical examination. Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer with a relatively good prognosis among malignant tumors. Early detection and early treatment have better effects. Even without active surgery and comprehensive treatment such as drugs, patients can survive for a long time. Therefore, if you suspect you have a thyroid disease or have suspicious symptoms, you need to see a doctor in time for examination.

1. Benign thyroid disease

1. Thyroid enlargement: includes diffuse goiter and nodular goiter. The former may be accompanied by bilateral glandular enlargement, while the latter may be accompanied by single or multiple nodules. Both are benign lesions and require regular check-ups.

2. Hyperthyroidism: also known as hyperthyroidism, it manifests as hypermetabolic syndrome, often accompanied by symptoms such as thyroid enlargement and exophthalmos. It needs to be treated with antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil tablets as prescribed by a doctor.

3. Hypothyroidism: also known as hypothyroidism, it is mainly seen in women and manifests as low metabolic syndrome, such as drowsiness, edema, joint pain, etc. It requires supplementation with drugs such as levothyroxine sodium tablets under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Hashimoto's disease: It is an autoimmune disease that may be related to viral infection. Patients will experience symptoms such as thyroid enlargement, heat intolerance, increased sweating, palpitations, weight loss, etc., and need to follow the doctor's advice to use glucocorticoid drugs such as prednisolone acetate injection for treatment.

2. Malignant thyroid tumors

Thyroid cancer can be divided into differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary cancer, follicular cancer) and undifferentiated thyroid cancer (medullary cancer, undifferentiated cancer). Differentiated thyroid cancer develops slowly and has a higher 5-year survival rate, while undifferentiated thyroid cancer develops rapidly and the average survival time of patients is shorter. Once thyroid cancer is diagnosed, surgical resection should be performed as soon as possible. After surgery, whether iodine-131 radiotherapy and TSH suppression therapy are needed will be determined based on the pathological results.

For thyroid cancer patients, they need to maintain a good attitude in their daily lives, actively cooperate with doctors for treatment, and take adequate rest to avoid overwork, so as not to affect physical recovery. In addition, it is recommended to go to the hospital's endocrinology department or thyroid surgery department for a follow-up visit every 0.5-1 year, and use ultrasound examinations to clarify the progress of the disease.