Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland at the front of the neck. The most common types, papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, usually grow slowly and generally respond well to treatment. Less common types, such as medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, behave differently and need specialist care. Thyroid cancer is more common in women and can occur at any age, including in young adults. It often shows up as a painless lump in the neck, noticed by the person or found by chance on a scan. Most thyroid lumps (nodules) are not cancer, but any new or growing lump should be checked. Other signs include hoarseness that does not improve, difficulty swallowing and swollen glands in the neck. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid, sometimes followed by radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone tablets.
Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer
- Neck lump
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes
Causes and risk factors of Thyroid Cancer
- Exposure to radiation, especially to the head and neck in childhood
- Family history of thyroid cancer
- Inherited syndromes such as MEN2 (linked to medullary thyroid cancer)
- Female sex
- History of goitre or thyroid nodules
How Thyroid Cancer is diagnosed
- Ultrasound of the neck
- Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the nodule
- Thyroid function blood tests
- CT or other scans if spread is suspected
- Laryngoscopy to check vocal cord movement before surgery
When to see a doctor for Thyroid Cancer
For severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, do not wait for an appointment callback. Seek emergency care. For a routine concern, our care team can help you choose the appropriate specialist. This page cannot diagnose your symptoms.
Treatment for Thyroid Cancer at Iswarya Hospital
Iswarya Cancer Centre provides comprehensive oncology support with radiation therapy using high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissue.
Oncology specialists for Thyroid Cancer
MBBS – Madras Medical College, MD (General Medicine) – JIPMER Pondicherry, DM (Medical Oncology) – AIIMS New Delhi
14+ Years Experience
Thyroid Cancer FAQs
Is every thyroid lump cancer?
No. Most thyroid nodules are benign. An ultrasound and, if needed, a needle test (FNAC) help decide which nodules need treatment.
Will I need thyroid tablets after surgery?
If the whole thyroid is removed, you will need daily thyroid hormone tablets for life. After partial removal, some people still make enough hormone, which is checked with blood tests.
What is radioactive iodine treatment?
It is a treatment taken by mouth that is absorbed by thyroid cells, used after surgery in some cases to destroy remaining thyroid tissue or cancer cells. Your doctor will explain whether you need it and the precautions to follow afterwards.
When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor for a neck lump that is new, growing or hard, or hoarseness lasting more than three weeks. Seek urgent care for difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Related guides
ℹ️ This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.