The thyroid is an essential part of the endocrine system responsible for hormone secretion. Thyroid cancer is a disorder that affects the thyroid gland and is frequently challenging to identify in its early stages due to the absence of obvious symptoms. Consequently, recognizing early thyroid cancer warning signals is essential for early detection and effective treatment. Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers among women today. This article covers 6 early warning signs of thyroid cancer.

What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones called thyroxine and parathyroid that regulate the body’s metabolism. Additionally, it regulates the amount of calcium in the body.

In thyroid cancer, abnormal cells can form a lump or tumor in the thyroid gland. Some types of thyroid cancer grow very slowly and may not cause any symptoms for a long time, while others may grow more quickly and spread to other body parts. 

Treatment for thyroid cancer may involve surgery to remove the thyroid gland, as well as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the type and stage of cancer. Moreover, lifestyle changes, such as eating more proteins and less trans fats and exercising regularly, may alleviate the severity of the symptoms. Most people with thyroid cancer can be cured with early detection and treatment.

6 silent signs of thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer may be difficult to notice initially. However, detecting it early is imperative for receiving the necessary treatments to treat the thyroid tumor. Thus, one must look for the following silent signs of thyroid cancer. Most of these signs may be benign, but being cautious and consulting the physician helps confirm/deny the presence of the tumor.

Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing is an often overlooked yet significant sign of thyroid cancer. In some cases, difficulty breathing can indicate that the tumor has grown to the point of putting pressure on the windpipe or lungs. It may also indicate that cancerous cells have spread to other body areas, resulting in excess fluid build-up in and around organs, tissues, and cavities.

Moreover, pay attention to signs such as shortness of breath after exertion, feeling out of breath when speaking longer sentences or walking up stairs, or accelerated heart rate. When any of these signs are noticed, with persistent pain in the throat, it is best to get it checked by a healthcare professional immediately.

Lump in the neck
The tumor that builds up in the thyroid can sometimes go undetected until one feels a lump in the neck. Alternatively, these tumors are sometimes found through regular physical exams.

This lump is often the first outward sign of thyroid cancer, and it’s essential to act quickly once it’s discovered. Thyroid tumor treatments can vary depending on the lump’s size, the type of tumor, and how far it has spread. Surgery may be necessary for some patients, along with radiation therapy and prescription treatments for others.

Throat pain
Thyroid cancer can be a silent killer, with pain being one primary sign of its presence. As cancer develops in the body’s bones, joints, muscles, and tendons, one may experience pain in the throat. It may persist for more than four weeks—increasingly so around the neck or shoulder area. Other tell-tale indicators of thyroid cancer, such as swelling, can cause pain and soreness throughout the body and difficulty performing daily tasks.

Trouble swallowing
Difficulty swallowing is often not considered a sign of thyroid cancer, but it can be one of the first symptoms. Cancer can block the esophagus, which runs from the throat to the stomach. Food and liquids will be harder to swallow if this occurs, and one may even experience pain when eating.

Additionally, if it begins in the throat, one may have ongoing difficulty swallowing or feel a lump in the neck that affects the swallowing ability.

Hoarseness in voice
Hoarseness in voice can be a silent sign of thyroid cancer. Often, individuals don’t realize they have thyroid cancer until they experience changes in the voice or roughness in the throat or strained speaking. This condition can last for weeks or even months without being properly addressed.

Thyroid cancer can cause hoarseness in voice by compressing or invading the nerves that control the vocal cords. The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) runs close to the thyroid gland and provides motor function to the muscles that control the vocal cords. If thyroid cancer grows and invades or compresses the RLN, it can cause damage to the nerve and lead to changes in the voice.

As a result, the voice may become raspy, weak, or scratchy; in some cases, the voice may be lost entirely.

Cough
Although many people don’t associate a cough with thyroid cancer treatments, it can be a silent sign of thyroid cancer. A tumor growing in the thyroid area may press on surrounding nerves, stimulating a persistent or intermittent cough due to the thyroid disrupting its functions. It’s important to note that cough is a common symptom of many other conditions, such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. However, when a cough occurs with other symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, one must consult a physician for professional advice.

Thyroid cancer can be challenging to manage and, in severe cases, may be fatal. We’ve now looked at five symptoms of thyroid cancer that may go unnoticed. It is important to note that not everyone who experiences these symptoms necessarily has thyroid cancer. However, one must get an appointment with a healthcare provider if these symptoms are noticed. One can also visit the MSK cancer center, where experts use the latest advanced medical technology to treat thyroid cancer patients.

Early detection and treatment are key for the successful management and prognosis of the disease. By researching and being mindful of these red flags, one can take charge of one’s health and ensure one gets the necessary care and treatment.