I Have a Lump on My Thyroid β Could It Be Cancer?
Finding a lump in the front of your neck, near your Adam's apple, may involve your thyroid gland. Here is what to know.
Thyroid nodules are very common β up to 50% of people have one by age 60. The vast majority (over 90%) are benign.
- Thyroid nodules can be:
- Benign colloid nodule β a harmless overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue
- Cyst β a fluid-filled sac
- Thyroiditis β inflammation of the thyroid, sometimes from autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid adenoma β a benign tumor
- Thyroid cancer β rare, but possible; most types are highly treatable
Risk factors for thyroid cancer include radiation exposure (especially in childhood), family history, and being female (though men who get thyroid cancer tend to have more aggressive forms).
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Small, smooth lump that moves when you swallow
- Found during a routine checkup with no symptoms
- Soft or fluid-filled feeling
- Stable in size over months or years
- Worth having checked:
- Rapidly growing lump
- Hard or fixed lump that does not move when you swallow
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Lump larger than 2 cm (about the size of a quarter)
- Lump in a person under 20 or over 70
When to See a Doctor
- See a doctor if:
- You notice any new lump in the front of your neck
- The lump is getting bigger
- You have voice changes or trouble swallowing
- You have a family history of thyroid cancer
- You had radiation to your neck as a child
Your doctor may order an ultrasound and possibly a biopsy to determine if the nodule needs treatment.