1. Community
  2. Diabetes and hormone problems
  3. Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders

Thyroid cancer symptoms!?

Posted , 8 users are following.

emily52713
emily52713

Okay so for nearly a year i think, ive had a swollen node under my jaw and the right side of my neck and ear aches constantly! I was diagnosed with hashimotos about 2 years ago but the endocrinologist never offered me an ultrasound. He has now discharged me!

Im pretty sure the right side of my neck feels bigger that the left, i cant feel any lumps, it just feels swollen along with the node on the same side!

Im terried of going to the doctors as i feel as though they think im crazy and making things up! They never take me seriously! Im absolutely terrified that this could be thyroid cancer which could have spread to my lungs!.

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • andrea004
    andrea004 emily52713

    Posted

    Hi Emily,

    I'm so sorry this has caused you so much stress. The first thing to note (if you do have any lumps on your thyroid), is that something like 95% of them are benign (not cancer)! Another thing to note is that thyroid cancer rarely shows any symptoms, and if there are any, it's simply just a lump in the neck. I have a 4.5 cm nodule on my thyroid that is being removed in a few months, but my biopsy came back inconclusive (they can't rule out cancer). This is a common biopsy result, but I'm having it removed to have peace of mind.

    I'd recommend asking for an ultrasound of your thyroid to put your mind at ease. Better to be safe than sorry! I found my nodule by accident (feeling my neck) and it felt swollen on the left side. When I rub my hand down the front of my neck, the left side definitely protrudes from my neck. At first I didn't realize this was a nodule, thought it was just swelling, until after my ultrasound. Now I can visibly see and feel the nodule on the left side. Talk to your doctor, because you're your own health advocate smile

    Andrea

  • clivealive
    clivealive emily52713

    Posted

    Hi Emily, I'm not a medically qualified person but I agree with Andrea004 that it's better to know one way or another than to worry yourself sick over it.

    Is it possible for you to have someone go along with you to your doctor's appointment as he/she is less likely to "pooh pooh" you in front of a witness.

    I wish you well

  • emily52713
    emily52713

    Posted

    What else could it be apart from thyroid cancer? I know the symptoms can be pain up to the ears which i have on one side. However this kind of turns into a headache and a weird feeling in my face.

    I just hope this isnt anything serious like cancer. I cant take anybody with me since my mum isnt supportive and ive been to all of my appointments on my own. She doesnt know anything about hashimotos, none of my family are interested.

  • emily52713
    emily52713

    Posted

    Im going to make a doctors appointment now, just hoping they will take me seriously for a change
    • clivealive
      clivealive emily52713

      Posted

      I suggest you write down all your current symptoms and what it is you want to say to the doctor.  Try to stay calm and stick to the script.

      It is so easy to get flustered and forget sometimes the most important things when facing someone face to face.

      I wish you well with the appointment

    • andrea004
      andrea004 emily52713

      Posted

      Try to not let this eat you up smile

      There's benign nodules out there that can cause much of the same symptoms as nodules that have cancer. For example, benign thyroid nodules can grow too, not just cancerous ones! Some can be so big that they cause compressive symptoms or breathing problems, yet they turn out to be non-cancerous. My nodule is pretty large (almost 5cm), so regardless of my biopsy outcome, even if benign, then I'd still have half my thyroid removed just due to size. Just take it one step at a time and request an ultrasound first smile

    • andrea004
      andrea004 emily52713

      Posted

      Also, out of curiosity, what makes you think it's spread to your lungs? I don't want you to stress more than you need to! I think when thyroid cancer spreads throughout the body, that means it's been there for many, many years (as this cancer is extremely slow growing). I don't think you have anything to worry about. smile

  • emily52713
    emily52713

    Posted

    I went to the doctors today and he made me feel like an idiot. He said that hashimotos doesn't cause nodules apparently, but he felt my neck anyway and said that it felt fine and he said the swollen gland is caused by a sore throat!! I don't even have a sore throat??! I've got to go back in 3 weeks to make sure the "sore throat" has cleared to then see if he can refer me for an ultrasound on the gland.

  • emily52713
    emily52713

    Posted

    Gland update:

    So after having a swollen gland in my neck for some time and an ache in that side..i went to the doctor again for a followup who said he is refferring me to an ent specialist... he said he doesnt know why it is there, and mentioned cancer because my gland is firm.!!

    Could one single node with an ache equal cancer???

    • DrewATL
      DrewATL emily52713

      Posted

      Try not to jump to conclusions, I do the same thing- and outside of this forum (and others) also stay away from self-diagnosis on the internet.

      You're going to be ok, in the meantime keep busy and focused on daily life - and of course, update the this thread as you learn more.

  • yvette97601
    yvette97601 emily52713

    Posted

    Please let me know how you get on this is exactly the same as my mum xx
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.