Frequently Asked Questions
Most thyroid cancers do not cause symptoms early. They are often found during routine ultrasound.
Possible symptoms may include:
- A painless lump in the neck
- Hoarseness or voice change
- Difficulty swallowing
- Neck discomfort
- Swollen lymph nodes
Some patients may present with symptoms of distant metastases, like bone pain, swelling, fracture, etc.
Many patients have no symptoms at all, which is why regular evaluation is important.
No. Over 90% of thyroid nodules are benign.
An ultrasound and, if needed, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) test help determine if cancer is present.
Diagnosis usually includes:
- Neck ultrasound
- FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) from thyroid and lymph nodes if they appear suspicious. These should always done under ultrasound guidance
- In equivocal cases, a guided biopsy may also be needed as FNAC may not give us the correct picture.
- Blood tests
- Occasionally CT/MRI for specific cases. Certain cases may even need a PET scan.
- Medullary thyroid cancer – S calcitonin, S CEA, Plasma metanephrines, DOPA scan.
Genetic testing is recommended for suspected medullary thyroid cancer (RET gene). It may also be done for certain aggressive cancers like anaplastic or poorly differentiated.
Treatment depends on the type and stage but may include:
- Surgery (most common and often curative)
- Radioactive iodine therapy (for certain types)
- Ablation- radiofrequency or microwave – useful for certain cases
- Active surveillance (for select cases)
- Thyroid hormone therapy – for suppression
- Targeted or immunotherapy (for specific advanced cancers)
- External beam radiation (selected cases)
Your doctor will customize treatment based on your cancer type and overall health.
If a hemi-thyroidectomy is done, then generally no medicines are required.
If your entire thyroid is removed, you will need lifelong thyroid hormone tablets.
These hormones:
- Replace what the thyroid used to make
- Help prevent cancer recurrence in some cases
Sometimes, calcium medicine may also be needed after total thyroidectomy.
Most thyroid cancers, especially papillary and follicular types, have excellent long-term survival—often above 95%.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment play a major role.
Yes, but with regular follow-up, recurrences can be detected early and treated effectively.
Follow-up usually includes:
- Physical exam
- Thyroglobulin blood test (for papillary/follicular cancers)
- Ultrasound scans
- Most thyroid cancers are not hereditary.
- Medullary thyroid cancer can be hereditary. Genetic testing helps identify at-risk family members.
Absolutely. With proper treatment and regular follow-up, most patients live completely normal, healthy lives, including work, exercise, pregnancy, and travel.
Do not panic. Most lumps are benign.
Schedule an evaluation with Dr Akshat Malik. It is important to have an expert thyroid surgeon’s advise.