Does thyroid cancer cause a foreign body sensation in the neck?

Whether thyroid cancer patients will experience a foreign body sensation in the neck needs to be determined based on the type of thyroid cancer. If it is papillary cancer, follicular cancer or other types of thyroid cancer, there will generally be no foreign body sensation in the neck. However, if it is medullary cancer or undifferentiated cancer, there may be a symptom of a foreign body sensation in the neck.

1. Papillary carcinoma: Papillary carcinoma is a common type of thyroid cancer. It is a low-grade malignant tumor that usually grows slowly, has clear boundaries, no adhesions to surrounding tissues, and a smooth surface. For most patients with papillary carcinoma, there will be no obvious foreign body sensation in the neck.

2. Follicular carcinoma: Follicular carcinoma is also a type of thyroid cancer, but it is less malignant and grows more slowly. Usually, since follicular carcinoma does not invade the thyroid capsule and surrounding tissues, it will not cause a foreign body sensation in the neck.

3. Medullary carcinoma: Medullary carcinoma is a rare thyroid malignancy, and the cause of the disease may be related to genetic factors. Because medullary carcinoma has the characteristics of local invasive growth, when medullary carcinoma metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes, it will cause the patient to feel a foreign body in the neck;

4. Undifferentiated carcinoma: Undifferentiated carcinoma is a more serious type of thyroid malignant tumor. Because undifferentiated cancer cells proliferate rapidly and easily invade surrounding tissues and organs, when undifferentiated carcinoma metastasizes to the cervical lymph nodes, it will cause the patient to experience a foreign body sensation in the neck.

In addition to the above situations, if it is other types of thyroid malignant tumors, there may not be a foreign body sensation in the neck. It is recommended that patients go to the hospital for treatment in time and complete relevant examinations under the guidance of a doctor before receiving treatment.