Stage 3 Thyroid Cancer: Notable Progression
Stage 3 thyroid cancer signifies a notable progression of the disease. The cancer, in this case, has either grown larger than 4 cm and may extend to tissues just outside the thyroid or it’s any size but has spread to lymph nodes near the trachea or larynx on one side of the neck.
This progression may lead to more noticeable symptoms. A palpable lump in the neck may become evident, and patients might experience discomfort or changes related to the enlarged thyroid. These can include difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or voice changes and even shortness of breath or coughing if the cancer presses on the windpipe.
Despite these advancing signs, patients should not lose hope. Treatment options at this stage are diverse and effective. The first step is typically a total thyroidectomy to remove the entire thyroid gland. This surgery may be followed by a procedure known as neck dissection to remove affected lymph nodes if the cancer has spread there.
Post-operative treatment often involves radioactive iodine therapy to destroy any remaining thyroid cells and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Patients might also receive hormone therapy to replace the thyroid hormones that the body can no longer produce after the removal of the thyroid gland.
Even at Stage 3, many thyroid cancer patients can expect a relatively high survival rate. Specifically, the 5-year survival rate for regional papillary or follicular thyroid cancer is around 98%, while for medullary thyroid cancer, it is about 71%. (3)
