Symptom 4: Persistent Cough or Hoarseness
Any recurrent cough that seems to be constant, irrespective of seasons or your health status, warrants attention. With thyroid cancer recurrence, one might experience a nagging cough, unlinked to the typical triggers such as cold, flu, or allergies. This cough could be a subtle signal that the cancer has returned and is now interfering with your respiratory tract.
The presence of an undiagnosed cough can lead to confusion or dismissal of the symptom, often attributed to more common and less severe conditions. However, the key to distinguishing this symptom lies in its persistence and its resistance to standard cough treatments. The cough associated with thyroid cancer recurrence is stubborn. It stays put even after a course of antibiotics or over-the-counter cough suppressants, proving resilient to typical cough remedies.
On the other hand, thyroid cancer recurrence can also manifest as a change in your voice. The larynx or voice box is located close to the thyroid gland. As the recurring cancer grows, it could place pressure on the larynx or the nerves that control it. This pressure can subsequently cause your voice to change, often leading to a hoarse or raspy voice.
Voice changes could also be subtle in the beginning, making it easy to dismiss them as temporary or due to benign causes like voice strain. However, if these changes persist or worsen over time, or if they’re coupled with other symptoms like a persistent cough, it becomes crucial to get them checked.
Take note if family, friends, or colleagues mention a change in your voice, or if you yourself notice a marked difference. For those who use their voice professionally, like singers or speakers, changes may be more evident – such as a newly developed difficulty in reaching high notes or sustaining a conversation. When your voice, one of your primary modes of communication, starts sending out distress signals, it’s time to listen. (4)
