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May 22, 2013
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Thyroid Cancer (cont.)

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Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Thyroid cancer typically presents as a thyroid nodule, or lump, that sometimes can be felt in the front of the throat. Most thyroid nodules are benign; less than 5% are cancerous.

A thyroid nodule larger than 1 cm that is found to have decreased iodine uptake on a nuclear medicine thyroid scan needs to be evaluated with a fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Rarely, thyroid cancer can present with other symptoms, including hoarseness; neck enlargement, causing difficulty breathing, or swallowing; cough; neck pain; swollen lymph nodes; or weight loss.

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Thyroid Cancer - Symptoms

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

The symptoms of thyroid cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

Thyroid Cancer - Treatment

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What were the symptoms of your thyroid cancer?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Thyroid Cancer »

Thyroid malignancy occurs with relative infrequency in the United States, though benign thyroid disease is relatively common.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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