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Thyroid cancer - medullary carcinoma: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if breathing becomes severely difficult, neck swelling is affecting the airway, or you collapse.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical care for:

    • Rapidly increasing neck swelling
    • New noisy breathing or worsening shortness of breath
    • An inability to swallow liquids
    • Severe diarrhoea with dizziness, faintness, or very little urine
    • Tingling and muscle spasms after thyroid surgery
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical assessment if you develop a new thyroid or neck lump, persistent hoarseness, enlarged neck glands, or ongoing trouble swallowing.

    These symptoms have many possible causes, but they should be checked.

    If you have been treated for MTC, contact your care team between planned appointments for new or worsening symptoms.

    These include persistent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, new bone pain, increasing neck swelling, or side effects from treatment.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Thyroid cancer - medullary carcinoma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.