# What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?

> From a swelling in the neck to a change in the voice: a short, plain-language guide to the warning signs of thyroid cancer and when to see a doctor.

Source: https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-thyroid-cancer/  
Updated: 2026-09-30

Blog · [Thyroid](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/#thyroid)

By: [Prof. Dr. Ayşenur Meriç Hafız](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/about/) · Translated from the original Turkish article.

Diagram The warning signs of thyroid cancer centre on the neck: a lump, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and enlarged lymph nodes.

In Türkiye, thyroid cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women after breast cancer. The encouraging news is that the death rate from thyroid cancer in Türkiye is steadily falling.

Most thyroid cancers do not cause any signs or symptoms in the early stages of the disease. That is why check-ups with a neck ultrasound are important for the early diagnosis of thyroid cancer. However, as thyroid cancer grows, it may cause

- Pain in your neck and throat
- A mass in your neck that can also be felt through the skin
- Changes in your voice, including increasing hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing, and
- Swelling, particularly in the lymph nodes of your neck.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should certainly see a doctor, have a neck ultrasound and, as part of your ear, nose and throat and head and neck examination, have your vocal cords checked as well.

[Read more in Treatment areasThyroid Cancer](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/treatments/thyroid/thyroid-cancer/)

The outcomes of surgical and medical procedures vary from person to person; consult your doctor for an assessment specific to you.

## More on this topic

- [What is thyroid cancer?](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/what-is-thyroid-cancer/)
- [Causes and risk factors of thyroid cancer](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/causes-of-thyroid-cancer/)
- [Treatments for thyroid cancer](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/thyroid-cancer-treatments/)
- [Thyroid ultrasound](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/thyroid-ultrasound/)

[All articles](https://www.profaysenurmerichafiz.com/blog/)

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