Endocrinologist talks about the first alarming sign of thyroid cancer

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A lump can be one of the first signs of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is cancer that occurs in the thyroid gland. Although it is quite rare, like any other type of cancer, knowing the symptoms can lead to early detection and successful treatment.

A slowly growing lump in the neck may be the first warning sign.

“A lump in the front, lower part of the neck that is usually firm and gradually increases in size. It is not painful,” says the nutritionist.

Four other symptoms may also occur, according to the doctor. These may include a hoarse voice or a sore throat.

A person with thyroid cancer may also experience difficulty swallowing or breathing, pain in the front of the neck, or a feeling like something is pressing on the neck.

Other symptoms that may follow include:

• A flushed face
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Coughing.

“These symptoms are very common and can be caused by a lot of different conditions,” she said.

Such symptoms can indicate Lyme disease, thyroid disease, benign multinodular goiter, and Graves’ disease.

“See your doctor if you have a lump on your neck that is either new or an existing lump that is getting bigger,” the endocrinologist advised.

As for hoarseness or a cough, if it persists for three weeks or longer, it’s time to get checked out by a doctor.

“You should see a doctor or call 911 immediately if you have trouble swallowing or breathing,” the doctor urged.

Thyroid cancer

Doctors don't yet know what causes thyroid cells to become cancerous, although exposure to radiation and certain genetic factors are known to increase the risk of thyroid cancer.

“Anyone can get thyroid cancer, and while it's not always preventable, there are ways to minimize your risk of developing it. Making healthy changes can reduce your chances of getting it and other cancers,” the endocrinologist says.

Three tips to help reduce your risk of cancer:

• Lose weight if you're overweight
• Cut down on alcohol
• Quit smoking if you smoke.

If you do develop thyroid cancer, there are different types of the disease.

The type of thyroid cancer refers to the type of cells in which the cancer began. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer. The diagnosis will also include the stage of the cancer and whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.

All of this information will inform your doctor about the next steps in your treatment.

How is thyroid cancer treated?

Most cases of thyroid cancer can be cured with treatment.

People with thyroid cancer usually need surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland (total thyroidectomy) or part of it (partial or hemithyroidectomy). Sometimes nearby lymph nodes also need to be removed.

Other treatments include thyroid hormone replacement therapy and radioactive iodine treatment. Some people also need chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, or external beam radiation therapy.