Can thyroid cancer cause neck pain?

Whether thyroid cancer can cause neck pain depends on the type of thyroid cancer. If it is papillary cancer, follicular cancer or other types of thyroid cancer, it usually does not cause neck pain, while medullary cancer, undifferentiated cancer or other types of thyroid cancer may cause neck pain.

1. Papillary carcinoma: Papillary carcinoma is a common type of thyroid cancer, with a low degree of malignancy and a good prognosis. Generally, patients have no obvious symptoms in the early stage. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as neck lumps and hoarseness may occur, but usually do not cause neck pain;

2. Follicular carcinoma: Follicular carcinoma is also a common type of thyroid cancer, with a low degree of malignancy and a good prognosis. Patients may show symptoms such as neck lumps and difficulty swallowing in the early stages, but usually do not cause neck pain;

3. Medullary carcinoma: Medullary carcinoma is a low-grade malignant thyroid tumor, and its cause is related to genetic factors. Since medullary carcinoma can secrete more substances such as calcitonin and 5-hydroxytryptamine, when these substances stimulate the nerve endings, it will cause pain symptoms in patients. Therefore, medullary carcinoma may cause neck pain in patients;

4. Undifferentiated cancer: Undifferentiated cancer is a highly malignant thyroid tumor that grows quickly and is prone to metastasis. Since undifferentiated cancer causes great damage to the body, when it invades surrounding tissues or organs, it can cause pain in the patient. Therefore, undifferentiated cancer may cause neck pain in the patient.

If you suspect that you have a thyroid disease, it is recommended that you go to the general surgery department of the hospital in time and complete blood tests, ultrasound examinations, etc. under the guidance of a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.