Dr. Chung notes that there aren\u2019t definite symptoms for thyroid cancer. One may be small, painless lumps called nodules in the front of the neck. \u201cIf something is affecting your breathing, making swallowing difficult, there\u2019s neck swelling or your voice changes, you need to be evaluated by your clinician,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Diagnosis can involve a physical exam, thyroid function blood tests, ultrasound imaging, a biopsy of the nodule, imaging with radioactive tracing and genetic testing. Information from the tests is used to determine the extent of the cancer and assign a stage. The cancer’s stage provides information about the likely course of the disease and helps the care team<\/a> in selecting the treatment.<\/p>\n Treatments for thyroid cancer might include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, then hormone therapy afterward. \u201cWhen the treatment is surgery, we either remove the entire thyroid gland or a portion of it,\u201d Dr. Chung says. \u201cWhen the thyroid is removed, the body gets adjusted with thyroid hormone therapy. This replaces or supplements the hormones produced in the thyroid.\u201d<\/p>\n