Symptom 6. Dyspnea: The Struggle for Every Breathe
Differentiated thyroid cancer can turn the effortless act of breathing into a laborious task. This struggle, known medically as dyspnea, can significantly affect a person’s day-to-day life. It might show up as shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or a feeling of being unable to draw a full breath.
As the thyroid tumor grows, it can start encroaching on the trachea, the crucial air passage connecting the larynx to the lungs. This invasion can narrow the trachea’s width, causing difficulty in breathing. Patients may feel as if their windpipe is blocked, leading to gasping or wheezing.
Dyspnea often presents in advanced stages of the disease. Initially, patients may only experience it during strenuous activities. As the disease progresses, it might become noticeable during light activities or even at rest. In severe cases, patients might wake up from sleep feeling breathless, a condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Interestingly, the onset of dyspnea is often gradual. Patients may adjust their lifestyle to accommodate the increasing difficulty in breathing, unaware of the sinister cause behind it. It is only when the symptom becomes severe that patients seek medical attention.
Difficulty in breathing, the silent struggle for air, is thus a significant symptom of differentiated thyroid cancer. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging any new respiratory issues, especially those not explained by common ailments like asthma or lung infections. (6)
