Is thyroid cancer causing lymph node enlargement a sign of metastasis?

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the thyroid follicular epithelium or parafollicular cells. There are many reasons for lymph node enlargement. In addition to the lymph nodes corresponding to the cancer lesions, it may also be caused by inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, metastasis of thyroid cancer, and tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes.

1. Lymph nodes corresponding to cancer lesions: Cancer lesions may metastasize to the lymph nodes in the neck, causing lymph node swelling. However, if the cancer lesions are not metastasized to the lymph nodes in the neck, but in the contralateral lymph nodes in the neck, it will also cause lymph node swelling.

2. Inflammation of cervical lymph nodes: The cervical lymph nodes are abundant. If cervical lymph node inflammation occurs, it can cause lymph node enlargement, often accompanied by local redness, swelling and pain.

3. Thyroid cancer metastasis: When thyroid cancer metastasizes, it usually causes lymph node fusion, which can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The swollen lymph nodes are hard, have poor mobility, and have a rough surface. They often adhere to the surrounding skin, grow rapidly, and are accompanied by tenderness. When thyroid cancer metastasizes to the lungs, it can also cause symptoms such as coughing, hemoptysis, and chest pain.

4. Tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes: Once thyroid cancer patients develop tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes, they may develop swollen lymph nodes. The swollen lymph nodes are hard, have poor mobility, and a rough surface, and are often accompanied by symptoms of night sweats and weight loss.

In addition to the relatively common causes mentioned above, there are other possible diseases, such as thyroid cancer combined with myasthenia gravis, hyperthyroidism, etc. It is recommended that patients go to the oncology department of the hospital in time for a complete ultrasound examination, pathological examination, etc. to confirm the diagnosis.