Thyroid Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Hearing the words “thyroid cancer” is frightening, but it helps to know that most thyroid cancers grow slowly and are treatable, especially when they are found early. Here is a simple guide to the symptoms, tests and treatment.

What are the common symptoms?

Many thyroid cancers cause no symptoms at first and are found on an ultrasound or during a routine check. When symptoms occur they may include:

• A painless lump or swelling in the front of the neck
• A swelling in the neck that is growing
• Hoarseness or a change in voice that does not go away
• Difficulty in swallowing or a feeling of pressure in the neck
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

Remember that most thyroid lumps are not cancer. But any new neck lump should be checked.

Types of thyroid cancer

• Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type and usually grows slowly.
• Follicular thyroid cancer is the next most common type.
• Medullary thyroid cancer starts from a different type of cell and can run in families.
• Anaplastic thyroid cancer is rare and grows fast, and needs urgent treatment.

How is thyroid cancer diagnosed?

1. Examination of the neck and thyroid blood tests
2. Ultrasound of the thyroid and neck lymph nodes
3. FNAC, a needle test in which a few cells are taken from the nodule and examined
4. Further scans, and a check of the vocal cords, when the surgeon advises them

How is it treated?

• Surgery is the main treatment. Depending on the size and type of the cancer, half of the thyroid (lobectomy) or the whole thyroid (total thyroidectomy) is removed. If lymph nodes are involved, they are removed too.
• Radioactive iodine is advised after surgery for some patients, to destroy any remaining thyroid cells.
• Thyroid hormone tablets are taken after surgery. In some patients the dose is set a little higher to lower the chance of the cancer coming back.
• Regular follow-up with blood tests and ultrasound for many years.

For small, low-risk cancers that have not spread, a minimally invasive endoscopic operation may be possible in selected patients. For larger or spreading cancers, conventional open surgery is the safer choice. The decision is made by your surgeon after examining you and studying your reports.

See a thyroid cancer surgeon in Varanasi

If you have a thyroid nodule, a neck lump, or a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, you can meet Dr. Om Prakash Prajapati, endocrine and breast cancer surgeon, at Delta Hospital & Cancer Centre, Varanasi. Read more about thyroid cancer care, or book a consultation. Please bring your ultrasound, FNAC and blood reports.