Thyroid cancer can become metastatic when cancer cells originating in the thyroid gland spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system (tissue, vessels, and organs carrying white blood cells back to the bloodstream). Only 3% of cases are metastatic at the time of diagnosis.
Once thyroid cancer metastasizes, it can affect various organs and tissues. Early detection of thyroid cancer is important to start treatment and improve outcomes. Thyroidectomy(removal of the thyroid gland) and other treatments may be performed to prevent metastasis and potentially cure thyroid cancer.
Most thyroid cancer cases (64%) are diagnosed while the cancer is localized in the thyroid, and 30% when it has spread only to regional lymph nodes but not to distant sites.
This article will review the most common sites of metastasis, the symptoms associated with metastatic disease, the types of thyroid cancer, and their progression. Continue reading