Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 24: Thyroid cancer is being detected with increasing frequency worldwide, including in India, even as awareness about its early warning signs remains low, doctors have warned. Though the disease has high survival rates when caught early, delayed diagnosis can make treatment more complex.

Global cancer data shows a steady rise in thyroid cancer cases over the past two decades, particularly among women and younger adults. In India, studies indicate regional variation, with comparatively higher incidence reported from parts of southern India.

“The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck, but it plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, heart rate and body temperature,” said Dr Nitin Leekha, Senior Director, Surgical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

“Because early thyroid cancer is often painless, many people tend to ignore the initial signs.”

Doctors say the most common early indicator is a painless lump or swelling in the neck, often noticed accidentally while shaving or wearing jewellery. Persistent hoarseness or voice changes lasting several weeks, difficulty in swallowing, or a constant sensation of something stuck in the throat can also be warning signs.

In some cases, patients may experience breathing discomfort or tightness in the neck, especially when lying down, if an enlarging tumour presses against the windpipe. Persistent neck or throat pain that radiates to the ear, swollen and painless lymph nodes in the neck, or a chronic unexplained dry cough are other symptoms that should not be overlooked.

“Experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean cancer,” Dr Leekha said, adding that persistent signs should always be medically evaluated. “The encouraging aspect is that thyroid cancer has one of the highest survival rates among cancers, particularly when detected early.”

Diagnosis usually involves a neck ultrasound, blood tests and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Treatment options may include surgery, radioactive iodine therapy or targeted treatments, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Experts emphasise that while thyroid cancer may remain silent in its early stages, subtle signals from the body should not be ignored. Early evaluation, they say, can transform a potentially serious diagnosis into a highly manageable condition.