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Thyroid Cancer - When To Call a Doctor
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- A lump or swelling in your neck. This is the most common symptom of thyroid cancer.
- Pain in your neck and sometimes in your ears that doesn't go away and is not caused by a cold or allergies
- Hoarseness that is not related to a cold
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing or constant wheezing
- A cough that continues and is not related to a cold
- Bone pain
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you have symptoms that do not go away or that are getting worse. If you are concerned about your symptoms and think you may have thyroid cancer, call your doctor.
Who To See
Health professionals who can evaluate your symptoms and help determine your risk for thyroid cancer include:
- Endocrinologists.
- Family medicine physicians.
- General practitioners.
- Internists.
- Nurse practitioners.
- Physician assistants.
Thyroid cancer is usually treated by endocrinologists, nuclear medicine specialists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: November 4, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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