Are solid thyroid space-occupying lesions cancerous?

Many people know that the thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body. So, is a thyroid space-occupying lesion cancer? What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?

Early symptoms of thyroid cancer are as follows:

1. Pay attention to the shape of the thyroid enlargement. The shape of the thyroid enlargement is generally divided into two categories. One is butterfly-shaped, which is more common in patients with endemic goiter, thyroiditis and some hyperthyroidism; the other is a round mass in a certain part of the thyroid gland, which is more common in thyroid cysts, thyroid adenomas, and also includes thyroid cancer.

2. Pay attention to the size of the mass. If the mass is diffusely enlarged or has multiple nodular enlargements, it is usually endemic thyroid enlargement. Generally, the diameter of a single nodule of a benign tumor or cyst is about 2 cm. If the diameter exceeds 2 cm, thyroid cancer should be suspected.

3. Pay attention to the smoothness and hardness of the lump. Use your thumb and index finger to carefully touch the surface of the lump. If the surface is smooth and uniform, it is mostly endemic thyroid enlargement; if the surface is not very smooth, it is likely to be thyroiditis; if it is a single nodule enlargement, but the surface is smooth and uniform, it may be an adenoma; if a single nodule is enlarged, appears rough, and feels solid, it should be suspected to be cancer.

4. Pay attention to the growth rate of the tumor. Localized thyroid enlargement is a slow process, and the course of the disease can be several years or even decades long.

The course of benign tumors and cysts can be several months to several years; the tumors of thyroid cancer grow significantly and rapidly, and can increase significantly within a dozen days or one to two months.

5. Pay attention to whether lymph nodes can be felt around the mass. If hard lymph nodes can be felt in the neck around the thyroid gland, it is highly suspected that the thyroid gland is accompanied by local lymph node metastasis.