September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month—a good reminder to pay attention to an important part of your health that can be easy to overlook.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It plays an important role in regulating many of your body’s functions, including metabolism, heart rate and body temperature.
Like any part of the body, the thyroid can develop changes over time. Thyroid nodules—small lumps or growths within the thyroid—are common, and the vast majority are not cancerous. But because thyroid nodules and early-stage thyroid cancers frequently cause no symptoms, they may first be discovered during a routine physical exam, an ENT head and neck examination or imaging performed for another reason.
That’s why awareness matters.
A thyroid nodule is an abnormal growth of thyroid cells that forms a lump within the thyroid gland. Some nodules can be felt from the outside of the neck, while others are too small or too deep to notice without an exam or imaging.
Most thyroid nodules are benign and don't require treatment. However, certain characteristics may warrant a closer look to determine whether additional testing or monitoring is needed.
Many people with a thyroid nodule or early thyroid cancer feel completely well and have no noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may be subtle. Talk with your doctor if you notice a persistent change such as:
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily mean you have thyroid cancer. But a persistent or unexplained change is worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Finding a thyroid nodule doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. The next step is typically to learn more about it.
An ENT physician may begin with a thorough head and neck examination and review your medical history and symptoms. Depending on what is found, your physician may recommend a thyroid or neck ultrasound.
Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the thyroid. There is no radiation involved, and the exam can help your care team evaluate the size and appearance of a nodule and determine whether it should simply be monitored or evaluated further.
If a nodule has certain characteristics, your physician may recommend a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. During this procedure, a very thin needle is used to collect a small sample of cells from the nodule so they can be examined more closely. Not every thyroid nodule requires a biopsy.
Hearing the words "thyroid nodule" can understandably cause concern. But thyroid nodules are very common, most are benign, and many can simply be monitored over time.
When thyroid cancer is present, identifying it appropriately allows your care team to determine the best next steps based on the type, size and characteristics of the cancer and your individual health.
The most important thing you can do is pay attention to changes and don't ignore something that persists. You don't need to wait until a thyroid problem causes significant symptoms to have it evaluated.
ENT physicians specialize in conditions affecting the head and neck, including the thyroid. A comprehensive head and neck evaluation can help identify changes you may not have noticed yourself and determine whether further testing is appropriate.
If you've noticed a persistent lump in your neck, unexplained voice changes, difficulty swallowing or another change that concerns you—or if a thyroid nodule was discovered on a recent exam or imaging study—schedule an appointment with one of our ENT physicians.
Early awareness starts with knowing what to look for and knowing when to get it checked. Request an appointment today to discuss your concerns with our experts.
