Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
Early stages of thyroid cancer may not produce noticeable symptoms. Symptoms that may indicate a benign thyroid nodule, thyroid enlargement (goiter), thyroid cancer, or other cancer of the neck include the following:
- Breathing difficulties
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lump in the neck (may be fast growing or hard)
- Pain in the throat or neck that may extend to the ears
- Persistent cough, without a cold or other illness
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Voice change (e.g., hoarseness) that persists
In addition to these symptoms, several complications can result from a thyroid nodule. For example, a thyroid nodule may produce excessive levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism), causing symptoms such as nervousness, weight loss, and a rapid heartbeat. Diarrhea may also occur due to the hormones that are secreted by medullary thyroid cancer cells.
