What are the early symptoms of thyroid cancer?

Okay, no problem. Let me break down the early symptoms of thyroid cancer for you in a way that's easy to understand.

Talking About Early Signs of Thyroid Cancer: Don't Panic, But Don't Ignore Either

Hello! Seeing that you're concerned about this shows you're health-conscious, and that's a good thing. Thyroid cancer is indeed quite common now, but the good news is that it's mostly an "indolent cancer" – it develops slowly and responds very well to treatment, so let's start by putting your mind at ease.

Often, thyroid cancer is "silent" in its early stages, with no particularly noticeable symptoms. Many people only discover it incidentally during a physical exam with an ultrasound. But if your body does give some hints, it's better to notice them early.

Here are some potential "signals" it might send; you can check them against your own experience:

1. A "Small Lump" in the Neck (Neck Mass)

This is the most common and classic sign.

Location: Usually in the front of the neck, slightly below the Adam's apple – right where the thyroid gland is located.
Sensation: This small lump is typically painless and doesn't itch, so it's easily overlooked. You can check in the mirror while swallowing; if you feel something moving up and down with your swallow, it might be a thyroid nodule.
Characteristics: It might feel firm to the touch, with ill-defined borders and an irregular surface.

Important: Don't panic if you find a lump in your neck! Over 90% of thyroid nodules are benign, like a mole on the skin – most are harmless. However, once you notice one, you should see a doctor to get it checked out. That's taking responsibility for your health.

2. Sudden "Hoarseness" (Voice Changes/Hoarseness)

If your voice becomes hoarse for no apparent reason (not due to a cold or straining your voice while singing) and it persists for a while (e.g., over 2 weeks) without improving, it's a cause for concern.

Cause: This could happen if a growth on the thyroid enlarges and presses on the nerve controlling your vocal cords (the recurrent laryngeal nerve), making them function poorly.

3. Feeling "Stuck" When Swallowing (Difficulty Swallowing)

When eating or swallowing saliva, you constantly feel like something is blocking your throat, making it difficult or causing a sensation of a foreign body.

Cause: This is also due to an enlarging mass pressing on the esophagus from behind.

4. Feeling a Bit "Breathless" or Constant Coughing (Difficulty Breathing / Irritating Dry Cough)

Feeling like it's hard to breathe, especially noticeable when lying flat. Or, having a persistent dry cough without having a cold.

Cause: Similar to above, this is caused by the mass pressing on the trachea (windpipe).

5. Neck or Ear Pain

Although most early thyroid cancers are painless, some types or situations where the tumor invades surrounding tissues can cause neck pain. Sometimes this pain can radiate to the ear or the back of the head.

What Should You Do If You Notice These Signs?

If you notice any one or several of the signs mentioned above, remember two things:

Don't panic and don't scare yourself by searching online. Most of the time, it's not cancer, and anxiety isn't good for your health.
See a doctor promptly for a professional evaluation.

Which department? You can visit Thyroid Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, or Endocrinology.
What will the doctor do? Usually, the doctor will first feel the area (palpation). The most important test is a neck ultrasound (color Doppler). This test is painless, radiation-free, very safe, and provides clear images showing the nodule's size, shape, borders, internal features like calcification, etc. Based on this, the doctor can make a preliminary assessment. If the ultrasound suggests risk, the doctor may recommend further tests, such as a fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), which is the "gold standard" for diagnosis.

To Summarize

Overall, the main early signs of thyroid cancer are a painless neck mass, followed by symptoms of compression like hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.

The best strategy is regular check-ups. It's recommended to include a neck ultrasound in your annual physical exam. It costs little but can nip many problems in the bud.

Take care of your health, but avoid excessive anxiety. Wishing you good health!