Thyroid Cancer
Common ConditionCancer of the thyroid gland, usually treatable with excellent prognosis when caught early.
Symptoms
Lump in neck that can be felt
Changes in voice, including hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing
Pain in neck and throat
Swollen lymph nodes
Usually grows slowly
May have no symptoms initially
Neck pressure
Persistent cough
Breathing difficulty (rare)
Causes
1
Radiation exposure to head/neck2
Family history3
Genetic syndromes (MEN)4
Iodine deficiency5
Being female6
Age (40-50 peak)7
Certain genetic mutations8
Previous thyroid conditions9
Obesity10
Often unknown causeTreatments
Surgery (thyroidectomy)
Radioactive iodine therapy
Thyroid hormone therapy
External radiation
Chemotherapy (rare)
Targeted therapy
Clinical trials
Active surveillance (small tumors)
Lifelong monitoring
Thyroid hormone replacement
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if you notice a lump in your neck, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or neck pain. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but evaluation is important.
Find a Specialist NowAbout Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Cancer: Excellent Prognosis with Treatment
Thyroid cancer has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers. Most cases are treated successfully with surgery and radioactive iodine, followed by thyroid hormone replacement.
"Ang thyroid cancer ay karaniwang magaling—huwag matakot magpatingin."
Specialists Who Commonly Treat Thyroid Cancer
Based on related specialties
