Know the Red Flags
- Thyroid cancer symptoms can include a hoarse voice, lump or pain in the neck, or difficulty swallowing.
- If you have a concern, get an exam to know for sure whether your symptoms are thyroid cancer.
- Patients increase their chances of recovery when cancer is diagnosed in its early stages.
Read More“Most people have no discrete symptoms the majority of cases now are found incidentally”
Here’s what else to know about the possible signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer.
Know the Signs of Thyroid Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer can show up via any of these symptoms:
- A lump in the neck, which might grow quickly
- Swollen neck
- Neck pain in the front, sometimes going to the ears
- A hoarse voice, or other changes in the voice that do not resolve
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- A continuing cough in the absence of a cold
Dr. Beth Karlan says, “If You Feel Something, Say Something”
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor without delay. They could indicate cancer or a different condition. The good news is that lumps in the thyroid are both common and commonly benign, according to the American Cancer Society. But if you have a concern, getting screened is the way to know for sure and to swiftly proceed with treatment if needed.
Common Cold or Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer and the common cold might seem to share some similar symptoms. So how can you know when you should escalate your concern and talk to a doctor?
“Hoarseness may be a sign of thyroid cancer, but it is much more commonly due to nonalarming issues, such as voice overuse, allergies, or reflux,” Dr. Ho tells SurvivorNet. “If hoarseness does not improve over six weeks or gets progressively worse, then one should go seek medical attention, specifically an otolaryngologist who can assess the vocal cords directly in clinic.”
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Dr. Ho adds that risk factors to be aware of include, “significant family history, at least 3 family members with thyroid cancer” as well as radiation exposure.
People can get thyroid cancer at any age, but about two in three cases occur in people between the ages of 20 and 55; three out of four of these cases are in women. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is typically diagnosed in people over 60.
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