Breast metastases
If a breast metastasis is suspected, it should be checked as soon as possible by means of breast ultrasound, mammography or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). If there are any abnormal findings in the imaging, the next step is to remove tissue from the suspicious area (biopsy) under local anesthesia and a detailed microscopic examination by an experienced pathologist. Metastases in the breast from thyroid cancer are rather rare.
Since the female breast undergoes numerous tissue changes in each monthly cycle due to hormonal fluctuations, metastases in the breast area are usually only noticed at an advanced stage. Slight hardening, increase in size as well as a slight pulling is usually attributed to completely normal parts of the cycle. In the advanced stage, however, breast metastases can reach a size in which they can be palpated through the skin from the outside or in some cases even become visible.
They can also cause pain, redness and severe swelling due to inflammatory reactions. The therapy of breast metastases is very complex and individual. In the presence of individual metastases, radiation from outside or, in individual cases, even surgical removal can alleviate the symptoms. If there are several metastases, systemic therapy in the form of chemotherapy is recommended.
Pulmonary metastases
Metastases in the lung can be easily diagnosed from a size of 1 cm on in an x-ray of the chest (x-ray thorax), which is taken in a standing position and with strong inhalation. If lung metastases are present, they are shown in the form of round, bright areas. Lung metastases with a size of less than 1 cm are only visible on CT.
Lung metastases due to thyroid cancer, just like bone and breast metastases, become noticeable quite late. In most cases, the main symptoms of advanced lung metastases are shortness of breath and coughing. The cancer cells are usually located in the walls of the pulmonary alveoli, which must expand with each breath to exchange gases.
The metastasis significantly reduces the elasticity of the pulmonary alveoli wall, resulting in the symptom of shortness of breath (dyspnoea). The therapy should primarily achieve symptom relief by reducing shortness of breath and coughing with medication. Radiation or chemotherapy is also possible, depending on whether the original tumor of the thyroid gland is radiation- or chemosensitive.
