4. Lymphadenopathy
When the lymph nodes become an abnormal size, or if they have an abnormal consistency or there are too many or not enough, it is called lymphadenopathy. The lymph nodes are part of the immune system. The main function of the lymph nodes is to fight off infections. Lymph nodes are found all throughout the body.
If the thyroid cancer spreads into the lymph nodes that are located near the thyroid gland, the lymph nodes that have been affected will swell. Many of the lymph nodes that are located in the neck are affected by thyroid cancer spreading. A high-resolution ultrasound along with a CT scan using contrast will allow a doctor to examine the lymph nodes to see if they are involved with cancer.
Lymph nodes found in the neck are divided into three areas, the posterolateral neck, the anterolateral neck, and the central neck. Any lymph nodes that have been affected need to be removed during surgery.