Thyroid cancer - symptoms?

[Mascarponeandwine]

Currently experiencing some odd symptoms and after googling (I know, very bad) am totally worried it’s a thyroid tumour. Symptoms are:

• achey pain that comes and goes - both sides of neck ache in turn, and sometimes twinges at thyroid area of neck. Mostly when I move. Pain can spread into shoulders and up towards ears.
  

• Feels a bit “squeaky” in back of throat (when swallowing and when I bend down / hold my breath) and I have more phlegm than usual (have a history of post nasal drip).
  

• Irritating need to clear my throat all the time (wouldn’t quite describe it as a cough).
  

I can’t feel any lumps or the nodule. Tried to feel when in the shower and it all feels quite firm but no obvious lumps.

I have an under active thyroid (since the 90’s) and a nodule found in 2013 which had no suspicious features on u/s. needle biopsy didnt work as they didn’t get enough cells. I then had an u/s 2 years ago as side of neck felt lumpy, but nothing showed up.

Thinking of waiting it out for a month to see if anything else happens. Anyone out there have any experience with thyroid cancer? and whether I should be banging the gp’s door down?

[aNonnyMouse1511]

Sounds more like silent reflux to me.

[Doublethecuddles]

Hi
I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in March 2019. I had no symptoms, and hadn’t noticed the lump on my neck, it was a doctor which pointed it out to me!
I had an ultrasound which should a lump on each side of my thyoid, this was followed by a FNA on my thyroid and a lymph node. Both can back positive for thyroid cancer. In April I had my thyroid removed along with 33 lymph nodes, 21 were positive and a tumour on both sides of my thyroid.
Looking at photographs I did see a lump on my neck which had been there for at least 9 months. I had no symptoms I was running 15 miles a week and very active. My blood results were completely normal.
If you are really worried I would ask for an ultrasound.
Best Wishes

[Mascarponeandwine]

Thank you for your replies. Yes I suppose it could be reflux, though never had the squeaky / wheezy sound before.

I don’t feel like there’s something stuck and I can swallow ok.

Trying not to freak out (am sometimes a bit anxious about my health). No gp appointments available to book for a few weeks ,it has to be urgent to get an on the day appt.

[tywysoges]

I had my thyroid removed for suspected cancer last year, only symptom was a massive goitre - that, like PP, someone had to point out to me as I hadn't noticed. Needle exams came back inconclusive twice. Ultrasound showed multiple nodules. Luckily the biopsy came back negative so didn't need further treatment.

If you're worried, I would discuss it with your GP - fingers crossed it's nothing sinister, OP.

[Mascarponeandwine]

Thanks I will make an appointment.

How do I not panic in the meantime?

[LightDrizzle]

I had no symptoms other than a mobile, painless lump on the lower left of my neck.
It was a lymph node that was biopsied and revealed the thyroid cancer.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

@tywysoges @Doublethecuddles have you been ok since having your thyroid removed? I've had a thyroid goitre for the last 5 years. Ive had two fine needle biopsies, and 1 core biopsy. All clear. I have a CT scan booked in next month as consultant keen to remove it as its near 10cm and is visible out of my neck. Terrified of the after effects and generally having someone cutting into my neck.

[tywysoges]

@MrsPworkingmummy yes, no issues at all.

Surgeon suggested only removing the ‘big’ half but because cancer was suspended I decided to have it all removed (if the biopsy came back positive for Ca I’d have to have a second surgery to remove the other half and I really didn’t fancy having it twice). However I have to say that before cancer was a possibility and the doctor suggested surgery just because the goitre was big and ugly, I wasn’t keen in the slightest.

Only needed to slightly tweak the dosage of thyroxine once but felt ok on the initial dosage too. Was back to work in two weeks, driving and everything.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

@tywysoges that's reassuring. I'm getting the ct scan to determine whether they'll only take half, or the whole, thing out. He's said if it's just half then I might not need thyroxine as the remaining half should function on its own. He did say there'd be a liklihood of the remaining half growing and eventually needing removing. Is your voice OK? How long did the operation last?

[tywysoges]

@MrsPworkingmummy can't remember how long it lasted - will ask DH and see if he remembers! It wasn't too long, I was first on the day and I am pretty sure I was back to ward by lunchtime.

My voice is fine, I was very hoarse for a couple of days, then it was a bit odd for a few weeks but back to normal in the end, no damage to vocal cords. I think the most physically unpleasant thing from the whole experience was the camera down the nose to see them. But that was quick too, so momentarily unpleasant.

Fingers crossed everything will be ok for you too

[Mascarponeandwine]

I’m slightly wavering that it’s a thyroid issue as there are no lumps that I can feel or see. Plus, the neck/shoulder ache kind of extends down the arm one side. That would probably be quite unusual for thyroid cancer.

[Doublethecuddles]

@MrsPworkingmummy I haven’t had many problems. I was in surgery for approximately 6 hours, but my cancer had spread quite extensively. I was in hospital for 1 night and took in easy for the next 2 weeks at home. My voice wasn’t effected.
I was operated in April and over the summer was careful to cover my scar which is approximately 10 cm, or cover with factor 50 sunscreen.
Initially my thyroxine medication was fine but has been changed since.
Within 6 weeks I was back running.

[TimeForANewUserNameMethinks]

Sorry to resurrect an oldish thread - but wondered what happend @Mascarponeandwine?

My bloods have shown "activity" in the thyroid...have appointment in a couple of weeks at the hospital.

[Lemons1571]

@TimeForANewUserNameMethinks I had an ultrasound and neck mri which showed nothing. It took about 2 months for the awful neck / windpipe pain, wheezy sounds, sore throat and cough to go away. A symptom I overlooked at the time was breathlessness on day 8, it didn’t seem relevant and didn’t last long so I had assumed my throat swelled up - of course with hindsight I am wondering if it was an early variant of covid. Will probably never know though!

Good luck with your appointment. My thyroid module is still there but hasn’t changed since initially seen on ultrasound many years ago.

[Lemons1571]

Different user name too!!

[TimeForANewUserNameMethinks]

Thanks so much for replying @Lemons1571, what a relief that it has settled down. It would be interesting to know how many actually had Covid end of last year/early this year wouldnt it!

Thanks for the good wishes too