Symptom 10. Persistent Ear Pain – A Subtle Signal
The complaint of persistent ear pain, or a sensation of discomfort or fullness in the ears, is a less-known but significant symptom associated with Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid (PSCCT). Often overlooked or attributed to less severe conditions, ear pain can be an early warning sign of this aggressive cancer.
Ear pain in PSCCT occurs due to a phenomenon called referred pain. In essence, referred pain happens when discomfort is felt at a location different from the actual site of the problem.
The nerves in our neck and throat, including those around the thyroid gland, share a common pathway with the nerves of the ear. Hence, any disease or abnormality affecting these throat or neck structures, such as a PSCCT tumor, can trigger sensations of ear discomfort.
This kind of referred ear pain, medically known as “otalgia,” is often described as a deep, dull ache. It might be present all the time or come and go. Some individuals may also experience a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears, almost like the feeling one might get during an airplane’s ascent or descent.
What makes referred ear pain a deceptive symptom is that there might be no apparent issue with the ear itself on examination. Therefore, it can be easy to attribute this pain to common ear conditions like ear infections or earwax build-up, leading to a delay in diagnosis of the actual underlying issue: PSCCT.
Ear pain related to PSCCT may also be accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty swallowing, voice changes, or a visible neck lump. These accompanying symptoms are crucial in guiding healthcare providers towards considering a throat or neck source for the ear pain, leading them to potentially uncover a PSCCT tumor.(10)
