What are symptoms of thyroid cancer?
Early thyroid cancer often does not cause symptoms. But as the cancer grows, symptoms may include: • A lump, or nodule, in the front of the neck near the Adam’s apple; • Hoarseness or difficulty speaking in a normal voice; • Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck; • Difficulty swallowing or breathing; or • Pain in the throat or neck. These symptoms are not sure signs of thyroid cancer. An infection, a benign goiter, or another problem also could cause these symptoms. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat the problem. How is thyroid cancer diagnosed? If a person has symptoms that suggest thyroid cancer, the doctor may perform a physical exam and ask about the patient’s personal and family medical history. The doctor also may order laboratory tests and imaging tests to produce pictures of the thyroid and other areas. The exams and tests may include the following: • Physical exam—The doctor will feel the neck, thyroid
