Most commonly, thyroid cancers in the early stage produce no symptoms. As the cancer grows, a small lump or nodule can be felt in the neck. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are caused by benign conditions, but about one per cent of these lumps represent early stages of thyroid cancer. If the cancer spreads, it can cause symptoms that include:
A lump—sometimes growing rapidly—in the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
Trouble breathing
Swollen lymph nodes, especially in your neck
Pain in your throat or neck, sometimes spreading up to your ears
Cough–or cough with bleeding
Having one or more of these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have thyroid cancer. Other conditions—including a benign thyroid nodule, an infection or inflammation of the thyroid gland, and a benign enlargement of the thyroid (goitre)—can cause similar problems, all of which are highly treatable.