You may be reading this because you or someone you care about has learned they have thyroid cancer. Or maybe you’re curious about your risk of getting thyroid cancer.
It’s important to get to know the signs of thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer can be easier to treat when we catch it early. At MSK, we have treatment options for thyroid cancer at every stage.
This guide is a good place to learn about what causes thyroid cancer and thyroid cancer prevention. You can also learn about the signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer.
This information can help you get ready to talk with your healthcare provider and understand your next steps.
Thyroid cancer is a type of head and neck cancer. When cells in the thyroid gland grow without stopping, they form a nodule (NAH-jool). A nodule is a mass, growth, or lump that may be cancer or benign (not cancer).
Thyroid nodules are very common, and almost all are benign. Only 1 out of 10 thyroid nodules are malignant (cancer).
Thyroid cancer can be hard to catch at first because many thyroid tumors do not cause symptoms.
A lump in the front of the neck can be a sign of thyroid cancer. Other signs include voice changes and trouble swallowing or breathing. Many people with thyroid cancer do not have any signs or symptoms.
An imaging test you had for something else may by chance show signs of thyroid cancer. Your doctor may order an ultrasound to see if you need a biopsy or more imaging tests.
Surgery is a common treatment for thyroid cancer. Other thyroid cancer treatments are radioactive iodine, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation, or active surveillance (monitoring).
Talk with an MSK Care Advisor. We're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is your thyroid? Knowing your thyroid’s anatomy can help you better understand where thyroid cancer starts. Anatomy (uh-NA-toh-mee) means the parts of a structure, such as the thyroid.
Thyroid cancer starts in the cells of your thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland below your voice box, in front of the neck. The thyroid looks like a butterfly and has 2 lobes (parts).
Your thyroid gland makes hormones that affect your:
When cells in the thyroid gland grow out of control, they form a nodule. A nodule is a mass, growth, or lump that may be cancer or benign.
The thyroid gland, including the location of the larynx, lymph nodes, and parathyroid glands.
A risk factor is anything that raises your chance of getting a disease, such as cancer.
There are some risk factors that you cannot control. These include your age, race, or the genes you were born with.
There are other risk factors you can change. Research shows that having healthy habits can lower your risk for cancer.
Risk factors for thyroid cancer depend on the type of thyroid cancer. A few risk factors can raise your risk for getting thyroid cancer.
If you have papillary thyroid cancer, it’s important to choose the right care team and treatment. These tumors grow slowly and may not need surgery now, or even later. MSK's active surveillance program may be right for you. You'll get a personal schedule for check-ups, imaging tests, and support.
MSK’s Thyroid Nodule Assessment Program offers a fast, precise diagnosis if you have a lump (growth) in your thyroid. You do not need a referral from your doctor, or tests before your visit. For an appointment, call 800-525-2225, Monday through Friday, to 5:30 p.m.
You may have a higher chance of getting thyroid cancer if:
Most people who get thyroid cancer do not have risk factors. There also are some risk factors that you cannot control.
If medullary thyroid cancer runs in your family, genetic testing and counseling is an option. About 1 out of every 4 people with medullary thyroid cancer inherited a gene mutation.
Getting genetic testing during childhood can show if you also have the mutation. Some people with the mutation choose to remove their thyroid gland to prevent thyroid cancer.
Research shows that some healthy habits can lower your risk. Making healthier choices in your everyday life can help. For example, eat fruits and vegetables, and aim for a healthy weight.
MSK nutrition experts recommend we eat mostly plants, lots of fiber, and less saturated fat. They explain a healthy diet, based on years of research. Learn about the:
Truth About Seed Oils
Truth About the New Federal Dietary Guidelines
Connection Between Diet and Cancer
Lowdown on Sugar and Cancer
Head and neck medical oncologist Dr. Anuja Kriplani sees patients at MSK Westchester and MSK Bergen.
Screening means getting routine tests to find cancer even before you have any signs or symptoms. The goal of regular screening is to find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.
There’s no solid scientific evidence about whether screening prevents deaths from head and neck cancer. Researchers are studying this in clinical trials, also known as research studies.
If you’re at low or average risk for thyroid cancer:
If you’re at higher risk for thyroid cancer:
MSK has more than 70 head and neck cancer experts. We see more people with rare types of head and neck cancer than many other cancer centers. We’re experts in diagnosing and treating rare salivary gland, mouth, and thyroid cancers. That’s why many people with rare head and neck cancers come to MSK each year.
Many people do not notice any symptoms of thyroid cancer. Everyone may not have the same symptoms.
You or your healthcare provider may notice a small, painless lump or swelling in front of your neck. These are called nodules. Most thyroid nodules are not cancer.
Your doctor may recommend a thyroid biopsy if an ultrasound of the nodule shows:
Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any of these thyroid cancer symptoms.
Early and common symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
Late-stage symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
