Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive management of thyroid cancer, highlighting that it is not merely a "lazy cancer" and that there are various types with differing malignancy levels [1][2] Group 1: Current Situation and Statistics - Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck region, with an increasing incidence in China, reaching 466,100 new cases annually, making it the third most prevalent cancer [1] - The demographic trend shows a significant increase in younger patients being diagnosed with thyroid cancer [1] Group 2: Diagnosis and Treatment - Patients should not rely solely on nodule size or growth rate to assess the malignancy of thyroid cancer; proper diagnosis requires preoperative puncture or postoperative pathological results [2] - There is a notable recurrence risk, with up to 20% of patients experiencing recurrence during follow-up despite generally favorable prognosis [2] Group 3: Postoperative Management - Postoperative management is identified as a weak link in the current prevention and control system, necessitating dynamic assessment and standardized follow-up [2][3] - High-risk patients require close monitoring and may need additional treatments like iodine-131 therapy to reduce recurrence risk [2] Group 4: Dynamic Assessment Techniques - The key to dynamic assessment post-surgery is to elevate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels for effective testing, with two methods available: traditional withdrawal and recombinant human TSH injection [3] - The use of recombinant human TSH can improve patient acceptance of dynamic assessments, addressing the discomfort associated with traditional methods [3] Group 5: Medication Management - Proper medication management is crucial, as patients often self-adjust their medication, which can be dangerous; guidance from healthcare professionals is essential [4] - Long-term thyroid hormone suppression therapy is typically required for differentiated thyroid cancer patients, while medullary cancer requires functional replacement therapy [4]

Core Insights - The incidence of thyroid cancer in China is rapidly increasing, with 466,100 new cases reported in 2024, making it the third most common cancer, particularly affecting younger populations [1][4] - There is a prevalent misconception among the public that thyroid cancer is a "lazy cancer," leading to insufficient follow-up and long-term management [1][2] - Clinical experts emphasize the need to break this misconception and raise awareness about the potential dangers and recurrence risks associated with thyroid cancer [1][3] Group 1: Incidence and Demographics - Thyroid cancer has become the most common cancer among young people aged 15-29, with a significant increase in cases among women, whose incidence rate is 49.4 per 100,000 [1][5] - Since 2000, the annual growth rate of thyroid cancer incidence among women has been approximately 20%, making it one of the most common cancers in Chinese women [5] Group 2: Misconceptions and Risks - The term "lazy cancer" is deemed unscientific and misleading, as there are highly malignant types of thyroid cancer that can progress rapidly and pose life-threatening risks [1][2] - The overall survival rate for thyroid cancer in China is 92.9%, but the recurrence rate can reach 20% after 10 years, with high-risk groups exceeding 30% [5][6] Group 3: Management and Follow-Up - Post-surgery management is crucial, with a need for dynamic assessment and standardized follow-up to minimize recurrence and metastasis risks [6][8] - Patients should undergo stratified assessments based on pathology, tumor size, and lymph node involvement to determine follow-up frequency and treatment strategies [8][10] Group 4: Treatment Protocols - High-risk patients may require additional treatments such as iodine-131 therapy, while low-risk patients still need careful monitoring due to potential changes in risk status [8][9] - The use of recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rh-TSH) for dynamic assessment is recommended to improve patient compliance and long-term survival rates [9][10] Group 5: Lifestyle and Awareness - Patients are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive iodine intake, and manage stress to reduce recurrence risks [10] - Establishing a Thyroid Cancer Prevention and Treatment Day is suggested to enhance public awareness and shift management approaches from treatment-focused to comprehensive care [10]