What You Should Be Knowing About Thyroid? (Thyroid cancer symptoms)
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland found at the front of your neck that controls the energy, metabolism, and well-being of your body. Thyroid disease such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are wildly common, yet thyroid cancer is somewhat of an unpleasant word people do not like to mention. The American Cancer Society estimates new cases of thyroid cancer at approximately 44,000 annually in the United States. While most of them can be cured, the disease is blessed in that it is easily detectable. You can take care of your treatment before the disease has a chance to become a problem if you catch the Thyroid cancer symptoms early enough.
8 Early Warning Signs That Your Thyroid May Be Cancerous
1. A swelling or lump in your neck that does not disappear
The most frequent and initial symptom of thyroid cancer is a swelling or lump in the neck. As per the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism research, 90% of thyroid swelling or nodules are benign but 5-10% are cancerous. Thyroid cancers grow fast, are firm, and do not change when you press them. They are not painful in most instances, and you may not even feel it. But if you find a new lump in your neck that stays for more than two weeks, you must consult your doctor.
What Research Says:
As Mayo Clinic puts it, 1 in 20 thyroid nodules is cancer.
The National Cancer Institute says that thyroid nodules over 1 cm in diameter are most likely to be cancerous.
2. Raspy or Hoarse Voice That Does Not Improve
If your voice is raspy or hoarse and does not improve over a few weeks, it may be an early warning sign. Thyroid cancer can press on the laryngeal nerve that controls your vocal cords and change your voice.
Study Finds
A 2017 research in the International Journal of Endocrinology established that thyroid cancer patients are 3.7 times more susceptible to voice cord issues.
30-50% of American Thyroid Association (ATA)-diagnosed thyroid cancer patients develop a change in voice.
3. Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty)
If swallowing food, beverage, or even saliva is hard for you, your thyroid is likely to be pressing on your esophagus (the tube through which food travels to the stomach). It’s called dysphagia and is among the warning signs that may indicate an incipient thyroid tumor.
Scientific Evidence:
A study found 40% of thyroid cancer patients initially reported difficulty swallowing.
The Journal of Thyroid Research discovered that 15-30% of thyroid cancer victims had experienced this symptom prior to diagnosis.
4. A Persistent Cough Not Due to Cold or Infection
Persistent cough not due to cold, flu, or allergy may be a sign of thyroid cancer. Such coughs in such instances are dry and lack mucus.
Researches
In a 2018 publication in The Endocrinologist Journal, 6.5% of patients with chronic cough were diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
From the American Cancer Society, the following is what has been discovered about how cancer-related cough is permanent and never ceases after treatment.
5. Swollen Lymph Nodes in Your Neck
Your lymph nodes fight infection, but to be swollen for many months without a known reason behind it, perhaps an indicator that thyroid cancer is spreading within the rest of the body.
What Research Shows:
Patients who presented themselves with swollen lymph nodes were found to be 70% more likely to develop thyroid cancer at Johns Hopkins University.
British Journal of Cancer warns that once thyroid cancer has been established in the lymph nodes, it is sure to spread to other organs.
6. Throat or Neck Pain That Won’t Go Away
The majority of thyroid cancer victims never experience any pain whatsoever to begin with. Painful or burning pain in the throat, ears, or neck does arise, however, as the tumor enlarges and pushes the tissues out of the way.
Research Confirms This:
In a 2021 Journal of Clinical Oncology report, researchers discovered that 15-20% of thyroid cancer patients previously had unexplained neck pain before diagnosis.
World Health Organization (WHO) suggests asking yourself if you have been experiencing a neck pain for weeks and don’t know why.
7. Unexplained Weight Gain or Fatigue
The majority of individuals believe that changes in weight are due to thyroid hormone disorders (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism), but thyroid cancer can influence your metabolic rate. Weight loss or gain and prolonged fatigue are some of the Thyroid cancer symptoms endured by patients.
Scientific Evidence
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that thyroid cancer can interfere with metabolism, leading to energy loss and weight alteration.
In a 2020 article in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers discovered that most thyroid cancer patients had already experienced a considerable weight change before diagnosis.
8. Neck lump that swells
Not all thyroid nodules are the devil, but if suddenly a lump is growing in weeks or months, that is a huge red flag.
What Research Suggests:
A 2023 University of California study discovered that quickly growing nodules are four times more likely to be cancerous.
The American Thyroid Association advises that any quickly growing thyroid lump be biopsied.
When to Visit a Doctor
Most thyroid lumps are benign, but no harm in checking twice. Physicians can screen with fine-needle biopsies and ultrasound scans to determine cancer status.
Key Takeaways
- 90% are benign, so 5-10% will be cancerous.
- Women are three times more likely to get thyroid cancer compared to men.
- Swollen neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or swollen lymph nodes should never be neglected.
- If thyroid cancer is detected early, 98% of the patients will survive.
For all the following Thyroid cancer symptoms for two weeks, go see an endocrinologist or an oncologist at the same time. Early treatment is life!
Conclusion
Thyroid cancer isn’t all that prevalent, but don’t get complacent about it. A majority of lumps in your thyroid are not a cause for concern, but a few are cancerous. If you happen to find a lump on your throat, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or persistent exhaustion, don’t get complacent about them. On the other hand, thyroid cancer is really curable if you get it early—98% of the patients survive at diagnosis in a timely manner. If any of them persist for over two weeks, see a physician. You will be healthy and prevent complications with early treatment.Conclusion
Thyroid cancer is rare, but do not ignore it. Most thyroid lumps are benign, but there are malignant ones. If you have a lump in the throat, hoarseness, swallowing trouble, or persistent fatigue, do not ignore them. On the positive side, thyroid cancer is highly curable if you are diagnosed in time—98% of patients survive at diagnosis in a timely manner. If any of them are more than two weeks behind, see a doctor. Treatment in the early stages will cure you and prevent complications.
