Sign 4: Difficulty Swallowing: The Stealthy Messenger of Thyroid Cancer
The fourth sign on our list takes us further down the neck to the esophagus: difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. It might seem inconspicuous, perhaps chalked up to eating too fast or not chewing properly, but this sign could be a stealthy messenger of thyroid cancer.
Swallowing, a seemingly simple action, is a complex ballet of muscles and nerves working together to transport food from the mouth to the stomach. The thyroid gland, sitting in front of the esophagus, can interfere with this process if there is abnormal growth or enlargement due to a tumor.
In the early stages of thyroid cancer, difficulty swallowing might only occur sporadically. You might notice it when swallowing larger pieces of food or when drinking a large gulp of liquid. As the cancer progresses and the thyroid gland enlarges, this difficulty can become more frequent and noticeable.
It’s important to differentiate dysphagia linked with thyroid cancer from other causes. In the case of thyroid cancer, the difficulty swallowing is not associated with pain. Also, you might feel as though the food is getting stuck in the front of the neck, where the thyroid gland is located.
These subtle signs can paint a more comprehensive picture of the thyroid’s state of health. Although difficulty swallowing can be a sign of various issues, it’s presence in conjunction with other signs could point towards thyroid cancer. (4)