Thyroid cancer, although rare, is the most common malignant neoplasm of the endocrine glands in Poland. You can get sick at any age, but the peak falls around 40-50 years of age. The clinical picture of thyroid cancer is not characteristic, therefore it gives non-specific symptoms in the first stages of its development. What may be the first symptoms of thyroid cancer? What other disease can it be confused with?

The first symptoms of thyroid cancerare so nonspecific that they can be easily confused with another disease - allergy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, colds, and even caries or nerve irritation caused by cold air ( scrolling).

However, even if these symptoms are not particularly troublesome, but persist for more than 2 weeks, contact your doctor for further diagnosis. What should be worrying? What may be the first symptoms of thyroid cancer?

A lump on the thyroid gland may be the first sign of cancer

Cancer cells dividing in an uncontrolled way take the form of a tumor that can be felt on the surface of the thyroid gland. However, remember that the vast majority of nodules appearing on the thyroid gland are benign, e.g. they are thyroid adenomas or non-toxic nodular goitres.

The decisive factor in this situation is the thyroid ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

Pain in the neck and back of the neck - an early symptom of thyroid cancer

Growing thyroid cancer can gradually put pressure on the surrounding blood vessels or nerves. As a result, the patient may begin to feel pain in the neck and back of the neck.

It is a symptom that is usually underestimated, because the first thing to consider is the wrong position during sleep or at work, as well as chronic stress, which leads to tension in the neck muscles and limitation of the range of mobility of the cervical section.

Such pain can also be caused by irritation of the nerves by cold air (so-called chipping).

Problems with swallowing - is it thyroid cancer?

In addition, the spreading thyroid cancer may compress the surrounding organs with time, causing e.g.problems with swallowing . However, this symptom is so nonspecific that it may result from many other factors:

  • muscle weakness or wideningesophagus
  • esophageal strictures
  • food allergy e.g. eosinophilic esophagitis
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • tumors in the esophagus
  • neurological disorders e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis
  • neurological damage, e.g. as a result of ischemic stroke
  • neurotic disorders

Thyroid cancer first symptoms and hoarseness and scratchy throat

In addition, cancer can put pressure on the larynx and throat, which can result in non-specific symptoms such ashoarseness or a scratchy throat . This, in turn, can be confused with the usual irritation of the larynx from tobacco smoke or dry air. Other hoarseness and sore throat diseases include:

  • strain of the vocal cords e.g. as a result of speaking too much
  • cold
  • allergy
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • polyps of the larynx or vocal cords

The first symptoms of thyroid cancer and enlarged lymph nodes

As the disease progresses, thyroid cancer metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes, causing them to enlarge. Of course, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck do not necessarily metastasize. Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of enlarged nodes.

Other diseases causing lymphadenopathy include:

  • periodontal diseases e.g. caries
  • autoimmune diseases, e.g. Hashimoto's disease
  • allergies.

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