Thuy Linh, a 35-year-old woman from An Giang, has had thyroid cancer for over a year but opted for traditional medicine instead of surgery. Recently, she has been experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. She is concerned that these could be signs of metastatic disease.
The thyroid gland plays an essential role in producing hormones that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and other bodily functions. If left untreated or not treated properly, cancer cells can invade nearby structures like muscles, esophagus, trachea, larynx, and blood vessels in the neck. These cancer cells can also metastasize to lymph nodes and even distant areas like bones, brain, liver, and lungs.
Metastatic thyroid cancer can be challenging to treat due to its ability to spread quickly throughout the body. Brain metastases are particularly difficult to manage due to their location and potential impact on cognitive function.
Symptoms of metastatic thyroid cancer vary depending on the affected areas. Bone metastases may cause bone pain, brittle bones, spinal cord compression, and bone loss. When the cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause dry coughing, breathing difficulties, and coughing up blood. Liver metastases can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain