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 recent "National Thyroid Cancer Prevention and Control Day" highlighted the need to address public misconceptions about thyroid cancer, particularly the belief that it is a "harmless" disease, emphasizing the importance of recognizing its risks and promoting scientific prevention and treatment [1][2] Group 1: Disease Awareness and Management - Experts advocate for the establishment of "Thyroid Cancer Prevention Day" to combat public misconceptions and promote awareness of the disease's dangers and recurrence risks [1] - Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck region, with differentiated types like papillary and follicular cancer having a better prognosis, while highly malignant types such as medullary and undifferentiated cancers pose significant risks [1] - Patients cannot determine the malignancy type or severity based solely on nodule size or growth rate, and ultrasound has limitations in detecting small lymph node metastases, necessitating preoperative puncture or postoperative pathological results for diagnosis [1] Group 2: Postoperative Management and Treatment - Despite a generally good prognosis for thyroid cancer, a significant proportion of patients experience recurrence or metastasis due to inadequate postoperative management [2] - Differentiated thyroid cancer patients are stratified into high, medium, and low-risk categories based on pathological results, with high-risk patients requiring close monitoring and potential iodine-131 treatment to reduce recurrence risk [2] - Dynamic assessment and standardized follow-up are crucial, as some patients initially assessed as low-risk may later develop metastasis, elevating their risk to high [2] - Patients often make dangerous decisions regarding medication, such as self-adjusting dosages without medical guidance, highlighting the need for proper medication management and monitoring [2]

Core Viewpoint - The rising incidence of thyroid cancer globally has prompted the establishment of a "Thyroid Cancer Prevention and Treatment Day" to enhance awareness and promote comprehensive management of the disease [1] Group 1: Disease Awareness and Management - Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the head and neck, often misperceived as a "lazy cancer" due to its slow progression and high early survival rates [1] - There is a widespread misconception among the public regarding the severity of thyroid cancer, leading to insufficient postoperative follow-up and long-term management [1] - The incidence of thyroid cancer in China is rapidly increasing, necessitating a shift from single treatment approaches to comprehensive management throughout the disease cycle [1] Group 2: Expert Insights on Treatment - Professor Tian Wen emphasizes that the term "lazy cancer" is misleading, as certain types of thyroid cancer can be highly malignant and life-threatening [2] - Patients should not rely solely on the size or growth rate of nodules to assess malignancy; proper diagnosis requires preoperative puncture or postoperative pathological results [2] - Dynamic assessment and standardized follow-up are crucial, as many patients neglect postoperative management, increasing the risk of metastasis or recurrence [2] Group 3: Postoperative Follow-Up Recommendations - Key to postoperative dynamic assessment is raising the patient's thyroid-stimulating hormone levels to the target range for effective monitoring [3] - Follow-up should begin one month post-surgery to evaluate wound recovery and medication status, with ultrasound and thyroid function tests at three months [3] - Initially, follow-ups should be frequent in the first six months, gradually extending to three months, six months, or even annually, based on pathological stratification and individual circumstances [3]

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]