What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located at the base of the neck below the Adam's apple. It produces hormones that regulate every aspect of metabolism from heart rate to how quickly calories are burned in the body. About 20,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year.

What are symptoms?

Thyroid cancer usually does not exhibit signs or symptoms in the early stages. As the cancer grows, there may be one or more of the following:

• A lump in the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple


• Hoarseness or difficulty in swallowing


• Breathing difficulties


• Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck


• Throat or neck pain, sometimes spreading to the ears.


• Having one or more of these symptoms does not always mean thyroid cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

What are the causes of thyroid cancer?

When DNA is damaged or altered, changes occur in the way cells grow and divide. One result is that cells may begin to grow out of control and eventually a tumor forms (a mass of malignant cells.)

In the case of thyroid cancer, DNA damage can occur from exposure to environmental contaminants such as radiation, from the process of growing older or from genetic causes.

Are there any risk factors for thyroid cancer?

Although the exact cause of many cases of thyroid cancer is difficult to pinpoint, certain factors can increase risk:

• Exposure to radiation


• Family history


• Certain inherited conditions


• Sex


• Reproductive history


• Age


• Race

How is Thyroid Cancer Diagnosed?

To help determine whether a nodule is malignant, one or more of the following tests may be performed:

• Blood tests


• Thyroid scan


• Fine needle aspiration biopsy


• Surgical biopsy

What is the treatment?

Surgery is the main treatment for most types of thyroid cancer, but other therapies may vary, depending on the type of thyroid cancer.

Dr. Gowda is board-certified in internal medicine. She has a special interest in disease prevention and the management of chronic health conditions. Dr. Gowda sees patients at Methodist Medical Group Internal Medicine.