Thyroid cancer can present differently in individuals, but some common symptoms include:
A noticeable lump in the neck that doesn’t go away.
Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Persistent hoarseness or voice changes.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Neck pain that sometimes extends to the ears.
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue in later stages.
While most thyroid nodules are harmless, certain features may indicate a higher risk of cancer:
Nodules larger than 1 cm.
Firm or hard consistency of the nodule.
Rapid growth over a short period.
Presence of calcifications detected on imaging tests.
Family history of thyroid cancer.
A thyroid nodule is simply a lump within the thyroid gland, which can be solid or fluid-filled. Thyroid cancer, on the other hand, occurs when these nodules contain malignant cells that can grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Although any size of thyroid nodule can potentially be cancerous, nodules larger than 1.5 cm with irregular margins or microcalcifications are more likely to require further evaluation.
Nodules larger than 1.5 cm with irregular borders, solid composition, or the presence of calcifications on imaging tests may indicate a higher likelihood of malignancy. These should be promptly evaluated by a specialist.
If thyroid cancer has spread (metastasized), it may show additional symptoms, such as:
Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck.
Bone pain or fractures if cancer spreads to the bones.
Persistent cough or difficulty breathing if it spreads to the lungs.
In the early stages, thyroid cancer may not show any symptoms or may present as:
A small, painless lump in the neck.
Slight difficulty in swallowing.
Minimal voice changes.
The diagnosis of a cancerous thyroid nodule typically involves:
Ultrasound Imaging: Identifies suspicious features like irregular borders or solid composition.
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy: Confirms if the cells are malignant.
Thyroid Function Tests: Rules out underlying thyroid issues.
Thyroid cancer has one of the highest cure rates among cancers, especially when detected early. The most common types, papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, have a survival rate of over 95%. However, aggressive forms like anaplastic thyroid cancer may have a less favorable prognosis.
If you suspect thyroid nodules or are experiencing any symptoms, consult Dr. Shailesh Kumar at Citi Vascular Hospital, located at KPHB, Road No: 1. Contact us via WhatsApp at 7337583901 or email at citivascularhospital@gmail.com, Hyderabad.
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