Thyroid Cancer Symptoms and Causes

Having problem in swallowing is one main thyroid cancer symptoms. Thyroid cancer is a disease that occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow in the thyroid gland.

In other words thyroid cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the thyroid gland.

The functioning of thyroid gland is very important. Although the thyroid gland is small, it produces hormones that regulate every aspect of human metabolism.

The thyroid gland plays a major role in producing the hormones that regulate the way the body uses energy and help the body function normally. First of all, before knowing the thyroid cancer symptoms, let us known about the causes of thyroid cancer.

Causes of Thyroid Cancer

The cause of thyroid cancer can be due to DNA damage from exposure to environmental contaminants such as radiation, from the aging process or, in medullary cancers, from genetic causes also such as exposure to radiation, other genetic causes. A family history may also prove to be the cause of thyroid cancer.

It is suggested that people with risk of certain genes may get the surgery performed to remove the thyroid gland so as to diminish the chance of developing the disease.

Person without the thyroid gland can lead a normal life by taking the hormones which are been produced by the thyroid gland and replace the loss. This is well and good that the surgery be performed in the childhood to avoid any risk of developing the disease.

The exposure to radiation may either be due to environment or for that matter any past treatments to the chest, neck or the head region by the radiation. These all reasons pose to be a major risk factor thus leading to be the cause of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms or Signs of Thyroid Cancer

Similar to other type of cancers thyroid cancer symptoms or signs of thyroid cancer are not evident in the early stage. As the cancer grows, a small lump or nodule can be felt in the neck.

The vast majority of thyroid nodules are caused by benign conditions, but about one per cent of these lumps represent early stages of thyroid cancer. If the cancer spreads, it can cause symptoms that include:

  • The first and foremost of the thyroid cancer symptoms is that swallowing becomes a problem
  • One may expereince a sore throat
  • Difficulty speaking or change in a normal voice
  • Hoarseness in the voice that does not get better and is not related to a cold.
  • Also a cough that continues and is not related to a cold.
  • Swollen or Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
  • Pain in the throat and/or neck sometimes spreading up to the ears
  • A lump sometimes growing rapidly at the base of the neck
  • A lump elsewhere in your neck
  • A lump, or nodule, in the front of the neck near the Adam’s apple;
  • Trouble breathing
  • Sometimes constant wheezing may also be one of the thyroid cancer symptoms.

These thyroid cancer symptoms are not sure signs of thyroid cancer. Other conditions including a benign thyroid nodule, an infection or inflammation of the thyroid gland and a benign enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) can cause similar problems, all of which are highly treatable. But anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Remember, 99% of nodules in the thyroid gland are benign, but only the doctor can determine if a lump in the person’s neck is cancerous or not. Even the thyroid cancer symptoms mentioned above can be caused by any other less serious conditions which may be benign.