September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month—a good reminder to pay attention to an important part of your health that can be easy to overlook.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It plays an important role in regulating many of your body’s functions, including metabolism, heart rate and body temperature. According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is diagnosed in more than 45,000 Americans each year and is often found at a younger age than most other adult cancers—making awareness at every age important.
Like any part of the body, the thyroid can develop changes over time. Thyroid nodules—small lumps or growths within the thyroid—are common, and the vast majority are not cancerous. But because thyroid nodules and early-stage thyroid cancers frequently cause no symptoms, they may first be discovered during a routine physical exam, an ENT head and neck examination or imaging performed for another reason.
That’s why awareness matters.
What is a thyroid nodule?
A thyroid nodule is an abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. Some nodules can be felt from the outside of the neck, while others are too small or too deep to notice without an exam or imaging.
Most thyroid nodules are benign and don’t require treatment. However, certain characteristics may warrant a closer look to determine whether additional testing or monitoring is needed. Our physicians treat cancerous and noncancerous tumors of the head and neck, including the thyroid and parathyroid—learn more on our procedures page.
Are there symptoms to watch for?
Many people with a thyroid nodule or early thyroid cancer feel completely well and have no noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may be subtle. Talk with your doctor if you notice a persistent change such as:
- A new lump, bump or swelling in the neck
- Unexplained hoarseness or a change in your voice that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the neck
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean you have thyroid cancer. But a persistent or unexplained change is worth discussing with a healthcare provider. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms warrant a visit, our post on signs you should see an ear, nose and throat doctor can help you decide.
What happens if a thyroid nodule is found?
Finding a thyroid nodule doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. The next step is typically to learn more about it.
An ENT physician may begin with a thorough head and neck examination and review your medical history and symptoms. Depending on what is found, your physician may recommend a thyroid or neck ultrasound.
Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the thyroid. There is no radiation involved, and the exam can help your care team evaluate the size and appearance of a nodule and determine whether it should simply be monitored or evaluated further.
If a nodule has certain characteristics, your physician may recommend a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. During this procedure, a very thin needle is used to collect a small sample of cells from the nodule so they can be examined more closely. Not every thyroid nodule requires a biopsy. The American Thyroid Association notes that thyroid cancer is usually very treatable and is often cured with surgery and, when needed, additional therapy.
The good news about early detection
Hearing the words “thyroid nodule” can understandably cause concern. But thyroid nodules are very common, most are benign, and many can simply be monitored over time.
When thyroid cancer is present, identifying it appropriately allows your care team to determine the best next steps based on the type, size and characteristics of the cancer and your individual health. Several of our physicians, including Dr. Neelesh Mehendale and Dr. Carlyn Norris, have particular training and interest in thyroid surgery, and our team provides post-operative guidance for procedures such as neck mass removal and parathyroidectomy.
The most important thing you can do is pay attention to changes and don’t ignore something that persists. You don’t need to wait until a thyroid problem causes significant symptoms to have it evaluated.
Your ENT physician can help
ENT physicians specialize in conditions affecting the head and neck, including the thyroid. A comprehensive head and neck evaluation can help identify changes you may not have noticed yourself and determine whether further testing is appropriate.
If you’ve noticed a persistent lump in your neck, unexplained voice changes, difficulty swallowing or another change that concerns you—or if a thyroid nodule was discovered on a recent exam or imaging study—schedule an appointment with one of our ENT physicians at ENT Tex (Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of Texas).
Early awareness starts with knowing what to look for and knowing when to get it checked.
