Thyroid Cancer: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Learn about thyroid cancer symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis methods, and treatments, including surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted drugs. Early detection and proactive care are vital for successful management and recovery.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Thyroid cancer is a condition that occurs when there is an abnormal growth in the thyroid gland.
In its early stages, thyroid cancer often remains silent, but later on, it may cause symptoms, including voice changes, neck lumps or trouble swallowing. This thyroid disease can take an aggressive form, like anaplastic thyroid cancer and a treatable form, such as papillary and follicular malignancies.
Learning more about the early signs, causes, and available treatment options can help manage thyroid cancer successfully. Also, adopting preventive measures and proactive steps to maintain thyroid levels can help sustain a better quality of life for those who suffer from this disease. Read on to learn more.
Types of Thyroid Cancer
Medical professionals categorise thyroid cancer into four types according to the kind of cells that the cancer develops from.
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Papillary malignancies account for up to 80% of all cases of thyroid cancer. This kind of cancer develops gradually. Papillary thyroid carcinoma responds quite well to treatment despite frequently spreading to lymph nodes in the neck. It is to be noted that papillary thyroid cancer is rarely lethal.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer
Often known as follicular carcinoma, it is the second most prevalent kind of thyroid cancer. Up to 15% of thyroid cancer cases are attributed to follicular thyroid carcinoma. While this cancer generally attacks the lungs, bones and a few other organs of the body, it is commonly treatable.
Notably, it is more common in countries where dietary iodine intake is insufficient.
Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare form of thyroid cancer that occurs in the parafollicular C cells located in the thyroid gland. This rare condition accounts for 4-10% of all cases of thyroid cancer. It may occur due to a sporadic mutation in individuals or be associated with familial conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).
Compared to other forms of thyroid carcinoma, this malignant growth has a higher propensity to spread to lymph nodes and other locations. The diagnosis is supported by elevated blood levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and calcitonin.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Anaplastic thyroid cancer, also known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, is a type of thyroid cancer that precisely resembles healthy thyroid gland cells. This kind of cancer is aggressive and quickly spreads to other parts of the body, including the neck. Between 2-3% of all thyroid cancer cases have this rare kind of condition.
Symptoms and Signs of Thyroid Cancer
Symptoms for early-stage thyroid cancer can be rare. However, as the disease advances, you may detect symptoms, such as:
- A painless lump or swelling in the neck
- Strained speech or changes in the sound of the voice
- Trouble in swallowing or breathing
- Consistent coughing without being sick
- Neck pain radiating to the ear
If you experience any of these symptoms, then contact a healthcare provider immediately. Attending regular check-ups and ensuring early diagnosis with adequate treatment are key to effective management of thyroid cancer.
Get Expert Consultation for Your Thyroid Symptoms
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer
Several factors can increase the risk of developing cancer. These include:
- Age and Gender: Women are more likely to develop thyroid cancer, with the ones aged between 30 and 60 being the most commonly diagnosed.
- Radiation Exposure: Previous treatments involving radiation to the neck or the head can raise the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Family History: Certain hereditary disorders, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia or familial medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), raise the risk of thyroid cancer.
- Iodine Deficiency: It can also contribute to thyroid problems.
Diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer
If detected early, thyroid cancer is treatable. The diagnosis of thyroid cancer involves:
Physical Exam and Medical History
A healthcare provider will start by feeling the neck to look for any unusual lumps or swelling in the thyroid or nearby lymph nodes. He/she might also inquire about symptoms like difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or persistent neck pain. A review of the patient's medical history also plays a key role. This includes any family history of thyroid conditions or genetic syndromes like multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN).
Imaging Tests
A number of imaging methods evaluate the thyroid and aid in the detection of malignancy.
- Ultrasound: The most used imaging test for thyroid cancer is ultrasound, which evaluates thyroid nodules for site, structure and potential malignancy. Additionally, it can reveal whether cancer has spread to neighbouring lymph nodes.
- CT and MRI scans: They may be performed to obtain accurate images of the thyroid and determine whether cancer has spread to adjacent tissues or distant organs.
- Radioactive Iodine Scans: This test is used to find cancerous tissues that absorb iodine, which is helpful for detecting certain types of thyroid cancers.
- PET scan: It is used in some advanced cases to better understand the spread of thyroid tumours that do not absorb iodine.
Biopsy Procedures
A biopsy is required to confirm a case of thyroid cancer. Doctors can order:
- Fine-needle Aspiration (FNA): This invasive procedure is generally used to obtain cells from a thyroid nodule, generally with ultrasound guidance for the procedure.
- Core Needle Biopsy: Occasionally, core needle sampling is done to obtain a larger sample for diagnosis.
Surgical Biopsy: If all of the above processes have not yielded enough information, a small part of the thyroid is surgically excised for examination.
Molecular Testing
If FNA results are unclear, then molecular tests can analyse genetic mutations or markers in the cells to help determine the likelihood of cancer.
Treatment Options for Thyroid Cancer
A person diagnosed with thyroid cancer may usually undergo a combination of treatments. These include:
- Surgery: It is the first step in treating thyroid cancer in most patients. This usually involves removing some or all of the thyroid (thyroidectomy), along with some nearby lymph nodes if the cancer has spread. This provides excellent results for localised disease and, most importantly, if diagnosed at an early stage.
- Radioactive Iodine Therapy (RAI): It uses a small amount of radioactive iodine to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery. It’s most effective for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers but not as much for medullary types. RAI is used along with surgery for optimal outcomes.
- Targeted Drug Therapy: This method targets specific proteins or mutations harnessed by cancer to fuel its growth. Drugs like sorafenib and lenvatinib are used to manage advanced forms of thyroid tumours. This therapy is utilised when surgery or RAI is not applicable.
- Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: Chemotherapy involves the application of potent drugs to kill cancer cells. On the other hand, radiation therapy involves high-energy beams that kill cancer cells. It is sometimes applied to advanced thyroid cancers as well. Notably, either of these therapies or both can help alleviate symptoms and prolong survival in difficult forms.
Post Treatment Care
After the successful completion of thyroid cancer treatment, individuals are required to navigate through an extensive post-care journey to avoid any recurrences. Follow-up examinations, hormone therapy, psychosocial support and monitoring metastasis are some of the essential components of ongoing care.
Living with Thyroid
Following a thyroid cancer diagnosis or successful completion of the treatment plan, individuals are still required to make several lifestyle changes to continue their path of consistent physical and mental recovery. Some of these changes include:
- Participation in physical activities like exercise regularly
- Getting psychological support from healthcare providers
- Dietary modifications
- Consistently monitoring health
Recovery is not a one-time activity but a lifelong journey for thyroid cancer patients, which demands unwavering participation towards improving their overall well-being.
Conclusion
Thyroid cancer is a challenging condition; however, it can be treated successfully, with early detection being an important factor. By knowing about thyroid cancer signs, risk factors, and treatment options, one may steer oneself towards better health.
All in all, early awareness and informed decisions about protective measures or innovative treatments are crucial for effectively managing thyroid cancer.
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Consult Top Endocrinologist
Dr. Anand Ravi
General Physician
2 Years • MBBS
Bengaluru
PRESTIGE SHANTHINIKETAN - SOCIETY CLINIC, Bengaluru
Dr. Nithin Reddy Modhugu
Endocrinologist
6 Years • MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DNB (Endocrinology)
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(100+ Patients)
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25 Years • MBBS, MD, DM(Endocrinology), MRCP (Endocrinology)
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Dr. E Prabhakar Sastry
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