I've had thyroid cancer for half a year, and it's swollen again, what's going on?

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium or parafollicular cells. If swelling recurs after half a year, it may be a relapse of the disease, or it may be caused by medication, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis and other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention in time and give targeted treatment according to the cause.

1. Recurrence: After surgery for thyroid cancer, local recurrence may occur, causing the thyroid gland to swell again, which can be confirmed by a puncture biopsy of the thyroid tissue. If it is confirmed to be a recurrence, surgical resection can be performed again, or thyroid hormone suppression therapy can be used under the guidance of a doctor, such as levothyroxine sodium tablets;

2. Drug factors: After thyroid cancer surgery, if the patient takes chemotherapy drugs within six months, since chemotherapy drugs are irritating, they may damage the thyroid gland and cause local swelling. The swelling will recur after six months. Usually, chemotherapy drugs need to be stopped in time. If the swelling does not subside, physical therapy methods such as local hot compresses or massage can be used to relieve the symptoms;

3. Hypothyroidism: If hypothyroidism occurs six months after thyroid cancer surgery, it will cause the body's metabolic rate to decrease and cause water and sodium retention, resulting in edema in the body, which will be manifested as swelling again after six months. At this time, you can take oral levothyroxine sodium tablets for treatment under the guidance of a doctor;

4. Thyroiditis: If thyroiditis occurs six months after thyroid cancer surgery, local tissue swelling may occur due to local inflammatory stimulation, causing swelling again six months later, accompanied by fever and pain. If the inflammation is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics such as cefaclor granules can be given. If it is caused by viral infection, antiviral drugs such as ribavirin granules can be given for treatment.