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Diseases & Conditions
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Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid - a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the metabolism. On occasion, one or more solid or fluid-filled nodules (lumps) can form in the thyroid. Most times these nodules are benign (non-cancerous) but on rare occasions, these nodules may malignant (cancerous).
Symptoms may include:
- a lump in the front of your neck
- hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
- trouble breathing
- swollen lymph nodes, especially in your neck
- pain in your throat or neck, sometimes spreading up to your ears
Treatment may include:
- surgery
- thyroidectomy — an operation that removes practically the entire thyroid with the exception of small rims of tissue around the parathyroid glands to reduce the risk of parathyroid damage.
- thyroid hormone therapy
- medication
- radioactive iodine screening and therapy
- external beam radiation
- chemotherapy
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