The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the voice box. This gland is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure.

One of the most common conditions affecting the thyroid gland are nodules – small lumps that can develop within the gland. In some cases, these nodules may turn out to be cancerous. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about thyroid cancer and nodules.

What Are Thyroid Nodules?

Thyroid nodules are small lumps that can develop within the thyroid gland. These nodules can be solid or filled with fluid. In most cases, thyroid nodules are benign (non-cancerous) and do not cause any symptoms.

Thyroid nodules are relatively common, particularly in women and in people over the age of 60.

What Causes Thyroid Nodules?

The exact cause of thyroid nodules is not known. However, several factors may increase the risk of developing thyroid nodules, including:.

Being female
Being over the age of 60
Having a family history of thyroid nodules or cancer
Having a diet low in iodine
Exposure to radiation, particularly in childhood

Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules

In most cases, thyroid nodules do not cause any symptoms. However, larger nodules may cause:.

Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Pain or discomfort in the neck
Hoarseness
Changes in voice

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the thyroid gland. There are several types of thyroid cancer, including:.

Papillary thyroid cancer – the most common type. This type of cancer tends to grow slowly and is usually contained within the thyroid gland.
Follicular thyroid cancer – this type of cancer is also slow-growing, but can spread outside of the thyroid gland.
Medullary thyroid cancer – this type of cancer affects the cells that produce the thyroid hormone.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer – a rare and aggressive type of thyroid cancer that can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Causes of Thyroid Cancer

The exact cause of thyroid cancer is not known. However, several factors may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer, including:.

Being female
Being over the age of 60
Having a family history of thyroid cancer
Exposure to radiation, particularly in childhood
Having a diet low in iodine

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

In most cases, thyroid cancer does not cause any symptoms in the early stages. As the cancer grows, it may cause:.

A lump or swelling in the neck
Pain in the neck or throat
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Hoarseness or other changes in voice
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Diagnosing Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

If you have a thyroid nodule or symptoms of thyroid cancer, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:.

Blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels
Ultrasound to examine the thyroid gland
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy to remove a sample of cells from the thyroid gland for testing
Radioactive iodine scan to look for cancerous cells in the thyroid gland

Treatment for Thyroid Nodules and Cancer

Treatment for thyroid nodules and cancer depends on the size, type and stage of the nodules or cancer. Treatment options include:.

Monitoring the nodule over time, particularly if it is small and appears to be benign
Removing all or part of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy)
Treating cancer with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of these treatments