Swallowing difficulties are often signs of thyroid growths.
The thyroid is a gland located at the base of the throat in the front of the neck. Some people have thyroid growths, which are often called tumors or nodules. These growths may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). This type of growth is more likely to be cancerous when found on a man's thyroid than when found on a woman, according to research done by the University of Virginia Health System. There are many signs of these types of nodules.
Painless Lump
A painless lump in the throat is often the first sign of a cancerous nodule in the thyroid. Some growths become so large that a person can feel a lump or see swelling at the base of his neck. Men typically notice these types of symptoms when they are shaving, while women may notice them while putting on makeup or washing their faces. Some people become aware of a lump when their shirt collars suddenly feel too tight or constricted.
Throat Issues
Some people can recognize thyroid growths by physical symptoms affecting their throat areas. These symptoms may include a hoarse voice or loss of voice completely. This is because the nodule is pressing on the voice box nerves. Other common symptoms that affect the throat include breathing or swallowing difficulties. Many people discover a growth on their thyroids because their lymph nodes under their jaws are swollen or painful.
Extra Thyroxine
According to research by the Mayo Clinic, some thyroid nodules produce too much thyroxine, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. When a person is producing excess amounts of this hormone, he may feel the physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism. They can include sudden or unexplained weight loss when the appetite is normal or even increased; feelings of nervousness or irritability; and rapid or irregular heartbeats. Other symptoms may be trouble sleeping and muscle weakness.
Nodule Symptoms
People who have undergone radiation to the neck, head or chest are more susceptible to thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer than others. A thyroid nodule, or growth, may be cancerous if it exhibits some common characteristics. For example, one sign is when a thyroid scan shows that the nodule is not functioning. Other signs include the presence of one single nodule, rather than multiple nodules. If the nodule is growing quickly, is hard or is solid instead of filled with liquid, it may be cancerous.
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