Thyroid Cancer & Nodules

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, below the Adam’s apple. Although it only weighs about an ounce, the thyroid can have a tremendous impact on your health. The thyroid’s function is to create thyroid hormone, which regulates every aspect of your metabolism.

This page contains the following information about thyroid disease:

Facts About Thyroid Cancer & Nodules

Following is information on thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules:

Thyroid Cancer

Cancerous thyroid nodules are often detected by a lump in the thyroid or swelling in the neck. The majority of people with thyroid cancer have excellent long term prognoses due to the availability of safe and effective therapies.

Here are some additional facts about thyroid cancer:

Thyroid Nodules

Normal thyroid cells may grow, forming a solid or fluid-filled lump in the thyroid. There are generally no symptoms. However, nodules may grow large enough to press on the trachea or esophagus, or may cause hyperthyroidism. Only 5% of nodules are cancerous.

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Risk Factors

Following are risk factors for thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules:

Thyroid Cancer

Scientists have found a few risk factors that make a person more likely to develop thyroid cancer; however, most people with thyroid cancer have no apparent risk factors.

Following are some risk factors for thyroid cancer:

Thyroid Nodules

Following are some risk factors for developing thyroid nodules:

Reducing the Risk

There are no known ways to reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules. However, a healthy diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat can reduce your risk of developing many types of cancer, including thyroid cancer.

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Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer & Nodules

Following are symptoms for thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules:

Thyroid Cancer

Following are potential symptoms of thyroid cancer:

These symptoms may be caused by other illnesses also. If you have any of these symptoms, promptly consult your physician to determine the cause.

Thyroid Nodules

Most benign thyroid nodules do not produce symptoms. However, occasionally they become large enough to notice a lump or swelling in the neck. Some nodules may over-produce thyroid hormone, causing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

A few patients with thyroid nodules may experience pain in the jaw, neck or ear. A large nodule may cause difficulty swallowing, a tickling sensation in the throat, or shortness of breath. Hoarseness is also a possible, although rare, symptom of thyroid nodules.

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Diagnosing Thyroid Disease

It is possible that you may notice a lump in your throat yourself or go to the doctor because you are experiencing other symptoms of thyroid cancer or nodules. However, it's more likely that your doctor will notice a lump during a routine physical exam, or on images taken of your neck for another purpose.

Your doctor may order a number of tests to check for a lump or determine if a lump is malignant. Some of the most widely used exams for diagnosing thyroid conditions are imaging exams offered by INVISION.

Imaging Exams for Detecting Thyroid Cancer & Nodules

There are several imaging exams that your physician may order to help diagnose thyroid disease. The exam ordered will depend on the suspected problem.

A radioactive iodine uptake test and thyroid scan are often performed to help diagnose thyroid function problems, such as hyperthyroidism. The uptake test evaluates how much of and how evenly a radioactive substance is absorbed by the thyroid. A thyroid scan uses a small amount of radioactive material and a special camera to further measure thyroid function and identify abnormal areas in the thyroid.

Ultrasound is used to determine the exact size of a thyroid nodule and whether it is solid or not. This exam can detect nodules that are too small to feel during a physical exam. An ultrasound may identify nodule characteristics that suggest cancer; however, a biopsy is generally performed to be certain. When thyroid nodules are not surgically removed, ultrasound may be used to monitor changes in their sizes so appropriate action can be taken if and when needed.

An ultrasound guided biopsy is the most definitive test for distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules. While watching the ultrasound monitor, a radiologist carefully inserts a fine needle into the nodule(s) to remove cells for further testing.

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Radiology Procedures for Treating Thyroid Cancer & Nodules

Radioactive iodine therapy is used to treat thyroid cancer. A radioactive form of iodine is administered and absorbed by thyroid tissue, where it causes the gland to shrink. This therapy can also be used to destroy thyroid cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.

Additional Information

The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on thyroid disease.

Sources

Additional Sites

Being female and younger than 30 or older than 50 are risk factors for thyroid cancer. Risk factors for thyroid nodules include aging and a family history of thyroid nodules.