Metastasis and typical symptoms of cancer
Papillary carcinomas can spread through the lymphatics and the blood. Through the blood, they mostly metastasize to the lungs and produce respiratory symptoms. Metastasis to distant sites is less common in papillary carcinoma, but quite common with anaplastic carcinomas. Follicular carcinomas spread through the blood to the lungs, bones, and liver also. Anaplastic carcinoma metastasizes and infiltrates the recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing hoarseness of the voice. When it is disseminated, it causes malaise, weight loss, anemia, cachexia, anorexia, jaundice and hepatomegaly, dyspnea, and even life-threatening pneumonia. Metastasis of follicular carcinoma usually features tender swellings in the bones.