Microscopic thyroid cancer, also known as occult thyroid cancer, refers to malignant tumors of the thyroid gland within a maximum diameter of ≤10mm, and is often classified as papillary microscopic thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and so on.
1. Microscopic papillary thyroid carcinoma: papillary carcinoma has the lowest degree of malignancy, grows slowly, and can remain in the thyroid gland for several years. Its foci may spread through the lymphatic vessels within the gland, and the probability of hematogenous metastasis is relatively small.
2. Follicular carcinoma of thyroid: follicular carcinoma mainly spreads through bloodstream, such as spreading to bones, lungs, liver and other organs, and lymphatic metastasis is less frequent.
3. Medullary carcinoma of thyroid: medullary carcinoma is more malignant than follicular carcinoma. There is a certain relationship between the existence of medullary carcinoma of thyroid and heredity, and there is often familial incidence. The lesion can easily invade the lymphatic vessels, enter the gland and then spread to the neighboring organs, and it can also spread to other organs through bloodstream.
The prognosis of medullary carcinoma of thyroid is generally better with active treatment. If there is medullary carcinoma of thyroid, it is necessary to seek medical treatment in time and follow the doctor’s instruction to improve the relevant diagnosis and treatment plan to avoid delaying the condition.