What happens if thyroid cancer treatment is delayed

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor with a certain degree of invasiveness. If treatment is delayed, the patient's prognosis will be poor and may even be life-threatening. Therefore, when thyroid cancer occurs, treatment should be actively carried out to improve the quality of life and prolong survival time. What will happen if thyroid cancer treatment is delayed is mainly determined by the pathological type of thyroid cancer, whether it has metastasized, and the treatment effect.

1. Papillary thyroid carcinoma: The most common type is papillary thyroid carcinoma, which has a low degree of malignancy. If treatment is delayed, the tumor may expand and even cause lymph node metastasis and blood metastasis, leading to distant organ involvement, seriously affecting the patient's quality of life and even endangering his life;

2. Follicular thyroid cancer: The most common type is follicular thyroid cancer, which is less malignant. If treatment is delayed, the tumor may expand, causing lymph node metastasis or distant organ metastasis, thus affecting the patient's life span.

3. Medullary thyroid carcinoma: It refers to a malignant tumor originating from the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. It is relatively rare. If treatment is delayed, the tumor may expand and cause bone metastasis, lung metastasis, brain metastasis, etc., which will seriously affect the patient's quality of life and even endanger his life.

4. Undifferentiated cancer: It is highly malignant. If treatment is delayed, the tumor may expand and metastasize to distant places, seriously affecting the patient's life span.

Therefore, when thyroid cancer occurs, treatment should be actively carried out. The thyroid gland can be removed surgically, and radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other methods can be used to improve the patient's quality of life when necessary. It is recommended to maintain a good attitude and receive treatment under the guidance of a doctor.