Neck swelling is one of the more apparent signs, although it can also be caused by benign conditions such as thyroid nodules. Anyone experiencing this symptom should consult their doctor, who will arrange the necessary testing. To make the diagnosis, they will frequently require a tissue sample. If the doctor discovers cancer, he or she will conduct imaging tests such as an ultrasound or an MRI to see if the disease has spread to other regions of the body. They may also request laboratory testing to see how effectively the thyroid is functioning and to monitor any therapies.

Neck swelling is defined as a buildup of fluid or inflammation in the neck tissues. Inflammation of the neck might be caused by an infection, an accident, or a recent medical operation. Small portions of the neck might become enlarged due to benign skin disorders. Neck lymph node swelling is a typical sign of many different types of viral and bacterial diseases. Thyroid gland enlargement is a common cause of adult neck edema. Neck edema can be caused by cancer in rare circumstances.

A neck mass, sometimes known as a neck lump, is an unclear mass located in the neck area. Congenital disorders such as branchial abnormalities and thyroglossal duct cysts are among the numerous probable causes. The majority are likewise noncancerous. A painless bump around the base of the front of the neck is a typical symptom. However, lumps in the neck are rather common and are frequently caused by benign illnesses such as goiter (enlargement of the thyroid). In reality, over 95% of neck lumps are benign.

If a lump in the neck is developing, feels hard, and does not move around much under the skin, it is more likely to be malignant. According to a 2015 review published in the journal "American Health and Drug Benefits", a lump or nodule with a diameter of more than one centimeter is also more likely to be malignant.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is becoming more frequent in persons over the age of 50. It might give patients the sensation that something is lodged in their neck or chest. In certain circumstances, the patient has difficulty swallowing. The thyroid gland of a cancer patient frequently enlarges. It causes pressure on the throat, making it difficult for the patient to swallow. Dysphagia may be caused by several cancer therapies.

A barium X-ray is frequently used to look for abnormalities or obstructions in the esophagus. During this exam, you will be asked to drink a liquid or a tablet containing a dye that will show up on an abdomen X-ray. As you take the liquid or medication, the doctor or technician will examine the X-ray image to observe how the esophagus works. This will assist them in identifying any flaws or irregularities.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid generates an excessive amount of hormone. As a result, the patient's metabolism becomes excessively quick, and the patient may acquire symptoms such as the following:

• Weight loss
• Increased appetite
• Sensitivity to heat
• Tachycardia
• Anxiety
• Trouble breathing
• Irritability

According to several research, hyperthyroidism is both a risk factor and a sign of malignancy. For example, in 2019, the scientific journal "Clinical Endocrinology" published a review of 2582 individuals with Grave's disease, an autoimmune condition that is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. The researchers discovered that several studies reported cancer diagnoses ranging from 0.15 percent to 15% of Grave's patients. On average, 11.5 percent of Grave's disease patients got cancer. The researchers discovered that people with thyroid nodules or lumps, as well as Grave's disease, were more likely to develop thyroid cancer.

While thyroid nodules are normally benign, long-term changes in the patient's voice might suggest that the nodule is cancerous. The thyroid gland is located beneath the larynx, popularly known as the "voice box". The laryngeal nerves are linked to the base of the larynx after splitting off from the vagus nerves. They control the function of the larynx by transmitting electrical impulses across it.

Thyroid tumors can impose strain on the larynx or the laryngeal nerve. That pressure will eventually induce vocal alterations, such as persistent hoarseness. As a result, a patient who gets a raspy voice that does not improve should have their thyroid tested for abnormal growths.

Difficulty breathing, often known as dyspnea, is another possible indicator of thyroid cancer — and it can be extremely concerning. In many situations, breathing problems are caused by a tumor that has grown large enough to partially obstruct the airway.

Even more concerning, dyspnea might suggest that cancer has spread to the lungs. The aberrant cells grow there, impairing the patient's capacity to breathe. Lung cancer cells eventually produce a number of consequences, some of which are deadly. While thyroid cancer has a relatively good survival rate, this is not the case if the illness spreads to the lungs. Cells that move to the lungs are the most prevalent cause of mortality in thyroid cancer patients; over half of them die from this consequence.

Coughing is caused by throat irritation, and it has several well-known and generally innocuous causes, such as the common cold. It can also be a sign of thyroid cancer, especially if the patient does not have an upper respiratory illness and does not cease coughing.

Thyroid cancer can ultimately push against the trachea or windpipe, which is located just behind the thyroid. It can therefore irritate the trachea and its accompanying nerves, resulting in chronic coughing. A CT scan should be performed on a patient who has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and has a chronic cough. The imaging examination can detect whether the tumor is to blame for the cough as well as the level of interaction with surrounding nerves.