Complications

They may vary depending upon the type of carcinoma (or cancer):

Papillary and medullary carcinoma may have local and distant metastasis (spread of cancer)
One third of cases of medullary carcinoma may secrete serotonin and prostaglandins causing flushing and diarrhea. It may also be associated with phaeochromocytomas (tumor of adrenal gland ) or hyperparathyroidism (increased activity of parathyroid gland located just behind the thyroid)
Complications for thyroid surgery include:
- Hypothyroidism is expected and should always be treated adequately with thyroid hormone therapy.
- vocal cord paralysis (less common)
- Hypoparathyroidism (if accidentally the small parathyroid gland located behind the thyroid gland are removed).