Scared i have thyroid cancer

Heya angels, 

Sorry to hear you're worried. 

However, if you read through the group then you'll find that the typical symptoms of our thyroid cancers were...... Absolutely nothing other than finding a lump. Most of us had 0 symptoms at all. So if you take that as typical symptoms, then pretty much everyone in the world could think they have thyroid cancer.

So what has Google told you to make you think you've got thyroid cancer, and what's making you scared? 

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass,

I'm a 3rd year student nurse and have had a lump in my throat for a few months and pain recently developed at the front of my neck. I spoke to an upper GI consultant while on placement a couple of weeks ago who examined my neck and suggested it was thyroid related and to visit my GP.

During my visit, the GP found 2 lumps on my thyroid and noted that lymph nodes on both sides of my neck are enlarged. She explained that she would need to make an urgent referral to rule out thyroid cancer. 

Over the last week I've had intermittent ear pain, same side as the throat and neck lumps, and my throat feels increasingly painful and constricted.

I've avoided Dr Google but just needed some reassurance.

Thanku for your input x

Heya, 

Thanks for the extra info! 

So the GP has referred you straight to ENT instead of for an ultrasound? As a heads up, that's probably what the ENT doc will do tomorrow, so I'm afraid there will be a bit more of a wait for the test, then results, then appointment. If you ask tomorrow if they are sending you for an ultrasound, if the technician will have the go ahead to do an FNA if they think it necessary. They need the ENT to say that in the request or some won't do it and you'll need to go back for a second appointment. 

With the lump in your throat, did anyone check to see if you had silent acid reflux at all? That's a common symptom of that, and as it's silent then there aren't many other symptoms of it. 

While raised lymph nodes, ear and throat pain, can be nothing more than a bug.

As for your thyroid lumps, the good news is 90% of them come back as benign. So the odds are in your favour to be nothing. You don't mention your age, but thyroid lumps like to grow when hormones surge. So during puberty, and if you're female, pregnancy, and the menopause. So they could have been hanging around a while, just existing and doing not a lot else. Hopefully the tests will all come back negative for you!

Lass

Xx

Hi,

Thanks for the FNA advice. All my GP did was bloods...all normal. I'm 34 yes old, the lumps are definitely new because when the pain first started, I checked the area myself so I'm pretty sure they've become palpable within the last few weeks.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Not too far away from me then. 

I found my lumps at 30, diagnosed at 31, currently 37.

Fast growing lumps is actually a good thing, as thyroid cancer is like the sloth of the cancer world. It moves really very slowly, so one thing you need to find, is a LOT of patience. Tests, results, letters, and appointments generally don't happen as fast as you'd hope. So just be ready for lots of waiting as you go through the tests and such. 

Good luck tomorrow, and do keep in touch! 

Lass

Xx