Understanding Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid—a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. Most cases are highly treatable.
Key Fact: Thyroid cancer is one of the more common cancers and its incidence has been increasing, though survival rates remain very high.
Common Symptoms
Neck Lump
A lump (nodule) that can many times be felt through the skin on your neck.
Voice Changes
Increasing hoarseness or difficulty speaking that doesn't go away.
Difficulty Swallowing
A feeling that something is stuck in the throat or pressure on the esophagus.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Enlarged nodes in the neck that may or may not be painful.
Risk Factors
- Exposure to high levels of radiation
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Inherited genetic syndromes (like MEN 2)
- Female sex
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and imaging of the thyroid followed by a biopsy.
Thyroid Ultrasound
Fine-needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy
Blood Tests (TSH
Calcitonin)
Radioiodine Scan
Common Treatments
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Thyroidectomy: Surgical removal of all or most of the thyroid gland.
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Radioactive Iodine: Used after surgery to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells.
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Thyroid Hormone Therapy: Lifelong medication to replace deleted hormones and suppress further tumor growth.