Fact 10: Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
In many cases, thyroid cancer initially doesn’t manifest any symptoms. As the cancer progresses, however, certain signs become evident. One of the most common symptoms is a lump or nodule in the neck. It’s usually felt in the front of the neck, close to the Adam’s apple.
Along with the palpable lump, other signs may include hoarseness or voice changes that persist, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, a persistent cough that isn’t related to a cold, and pain in the front of the neck that might extend to the ears.
However, these symptoms are not exclusive to thyroid cancer and can be caused by non-cancerous conditions like an inflamed thyroid or other diseases of the neck. Furthermore, thyroid nodules are common and usually benign. Nonetheless, if you have a nodule or experience any other symptoms, you should seek a thorough evaluation from a healthcare provider to rule out cancer or detect it at an early stage. (10)
