What Are the Symptoms of Cancerous Thyroid Nodules?

The majority of the thyroid nodules that form outgrowths or lumps within the thyroid gland (an endocrine gland that secretes several hormones) are harmless and will not always pose any serious threat to your health as an individual.

However, a small percentage of these nodules can be cancerous, and identifying cancerous thyroid nodules early is vital in helping you achieve effective treatment and better outcomes.

Furthermore, getting to understand the symptoms that will enable you to identify these cancerous thyroid nodules will help you as an individual to quickly seek timely medical testing and intervention.

As you continue to read this article, you’ll be getting helpful insights on knowing those common signs and symptoms that are associated with malignant thyroid nodules.

Firstly you must recognize that there are various types of thyroid cancer. The most frequently occurring type is papillary thyroid cancer which garners about 70 to 80% appearance in all possible cases. Follicular thyroid cancer also garners about 20% appearance in all possible cases. Least occurring types include thyroid sarcoma, medullary thyroid cancer, and so on.

Common signs and symptoms associated with cancerous thyroid nodules include:

Observable Lump in the Neck: This is often one of the first symptoms that come from a noticeable swelling or lump in the neck. When it’s cancerous, the nodules tend to grow steadily and become more prominent over time. This may be discovered during a regular physical examination or medical check-up.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes: Because it’s cancerous, swollen or enlarged lymph nodes can be observed and cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph nodes. When you notice this symptom, a quick and further evaluation must be done by a healthcare professional.
Difficulty in Swallowing: This condition is called dysphagia and it occurs when cancerous thyroid nodules grow continuously, pressing against the esophagus. It comes with a sensation of something being stuck in the throat or chest.
Constant Cough: When this symptom is not associated with a respiratory infection or other known cause, then it could be a symptom of a cancerous thyroid nodule. It may come in dry form and may not respond to basic cough treatments.
Problematic Breathing: This symptom occurs when the nodule compresses the windpipe, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing, or a feeling of tightness in the throat. In some cases, it could be a result of cancerous thyroid nodules, and urgent medical attention is required.
Reduction in Voice Quality or Hoarseness: This symptom occurs when the nodule affects the functioning of the vocal cords when it presses against it. If this symptom unexplainably occurs to you and persists over time, it may be a sign of a cancerous thyroid nodule, you must seek medical help.

For more information about the symptoms of thyroid cancer, check here and here.

When to Worry About Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are common, with up to 50-70% of adults developing them by age 60. Most nodules are benign, but signs like rapid growth, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or a family history of thyroid cancer require immediate attention. About 5-10% of nodules are cancerous. Women are four times more likely to develop nodules than men. For more information, check here.

Early Stage Thyroid Cancer Symptoms in Females

Early-stage thyroid cancer often presents mild or no symptoms, but females may notice:

A painless lump in the neck
Hoarseness or voice changes
Difficulty swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes

Women are three times more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer, especially between ages 30 and 60.

Thyroid Cancer Survival Rate

Thyroid cancer generally has a high survival rate.

Papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type, has a 10-year survival rate of 90-95%.
For follicular thyroid cancer, the rate is about 85-90% over 10 years.
The overall 5-year survival rate for thyroid cancer is 98%, but it drops to 28% for stage 4 cases.

Stage 1 Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Stage 1 thyroid cancer usually lacks noticeable symptoms. Common signs include:

A small lump in the neck
Mild discomfort when swallowing
Enlarged lymph nodes

Doctors often detect stage 1 thyroid cancer during routine examinations or imaging tests for unrelated conditions.

Stage 4 Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Stage 4 thyroid cancer symptoms are severe and may include:

Persistent neck swelling or pain
Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness or voice loss
Significant weight loss
Spread to other organs, like lungs or bones

This stage accounts for only about 4% of thyroid cancer cases, but it significantly impacts quality of life.

How Long Can You Have Thyroid Cancer Without Knowing?

Thyroid cancer can develop silently for months to years. Some types, like papillary thyroid cancer, grow slowly and remain asymptomatic for years. Anaplastic thyroid cancer, however, grows aggressively and shows symptoms within weeks. Studies estimate that 20-30% of patients discover thyroid cancer incidentally during unrelated medical exams.

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Conclusion

Identifying the symptoms of cancerous thyroid nodules is important so as to help you affirm its presence on time and to help you kick-start the process that will ensure effective treatment.

Some of the very common signs and symptoms have been discussed above in this article, and any experience with one or more of these symptoms should not be taken lightly or for granted.

Hence, early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

Reference

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Goldenberg D. We cannot ignore the real component of the rise in thyroid cancer incidence. Cancer. 2019 Jul 15. 125 (14):2362-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Le KT, Sawicki MP, Wang MB, Hershman JM, Leung AM. HIGH PREVALENCE OF AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE AMONG THYROID CANCER PATIENTS IN THE NATIONAL VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. Endocr Pract. 2016 Jan 27. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Zamora EA, Khare S, Cassaro S. Thyroid Nodule. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from here
Key Statistics for Thyroid Cancer. American Cancer Society. Available from here. January 18, 2023; Accessed: March 1, 2023.

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What Are the Symptoms of Cancerous Thyroid Nodules?

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