This type of cancer is most often found as a lump (or nodule) in the thyroid gland. It is not a common type of cancer and most thyroid nodules are benign (not cancer).
Other signs of thyroid cancer include swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck and trouble swallowing or breathing. Although anyone can get thyroid cancer, people who as children had head or neck x-ray treatments for tonsillitis or other conditions (from about the 1920s to the 1960s) are more likely to get this cancer. It is treated with surgery, which removes the cancer, sometimes followed by radioactive iodine therapy, which kills the cancer.
What are the signs of a thyroid disorder?
It can be hard to tell if you have a thyroid disorder because these disorders can have signs that are common and often confused with other conditions. If you think you have a thyroid disorder, talk with your health care provider and ask if a blood test for a thyroid disorder is indicated. A simple blood test measures thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, to find overactive and underactive thyroid disorders.Signs of hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Forgetfulness
- Hoarse voice
- Dry, coarse skin and hair
- Trouble swallowing
- Not being able to stand the cold
- Increased cholesterol
- Heavy or irregular periods or trouble getting pregnant
- An enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Weight loss
- Feeling irritable and nervous
- Weakness in muscles and tremors
- Having menstrual periods that are not regular
- Troubled, or disturbed sleep
- Problems seeing or eye irritations
- Having an enlarged thyroid (goiter)
- Not being able to stand the heat
- Palpitations or rapid heart beats
- Frequent bowel movements
