Symptoms of thyroid cancer

Seeing your GP

Symptoms of thyroid cancer to look out for

A lump in your neck

The thyroid gland is at the base of your neck. Thyroid lumps are very common. But less than 10 out of 100 thyroid lumps (less than 10%) are cancer. Older people in particular can have small lumps in their thyroid gland called nodules. Nodules are more common in women than men.

A goitre is an enlarged thyroid gland that is not cancerous. It causes a swelling or a lump at the front of the neck, which may move up and down when you swallow.

Cancerous thyroid lumps aren’t usually painful. But you should get a doctor to check any lump, whether it is painful or not.

Also, see your doctor if:

• a lump checked previously suddenly gets bigger

• you find a lump elsewhere in your neck

Hoarse voice

Bacterial or viral infections are more likely to cause a hoarse voice. See your doctor if you have a hoarse voice that is not getting better. Your doctor can assess you and decide what might be causing this.

Difficulty swallowing

Some medicines or health conditions can cause difficulty swallowing. See your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing. Your doctor can assess you and decide what might be causing this.

Unusual symptoms of thyroid cancer

A rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer can cause unusual symptoms. You might have frequent loose bowel movements or go red in the face (flushing). This can happen when the medullary thyroid cancer cells make too much of the hormone calcitonin.

Seeing your doctor

Your symptoms may not be due to thyroid cancer. But it is important that a doctor checks any symptoms you have, even if you are feeling well.

Finding cancer early makes it easier to treat. It is also more likely for the treatment to be successful.

Read more about what to expect when seeing your GP about your thyroid symptoms