Inputs by – Dr Ankit Mahuvakar, Consultant Head & Neck Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, Borivali
“Thyroid cancer is being diagnosed more often in India and across the world, especially among women and younger adults. In India, registry data show that thyroid cancer incidence in women rose from 2.4 to 3.9 per 100,000 over about a decade, while in men it increased from 0.9 to 1.3 per 100,000. The rise is partly linked to better imaging and earlier detection, but experts say awareness remains essential because thyroid cancer often develops silently and may not cause symptoms until a lump or swelling appears.
The thyroid gland regulates hormones, body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism. One of the biggest challenges with thyroid cancer is that it often progresses quietly. In many cases, people do not notice symptoms in the early stages. A painless lump or swelling in the neck is usually the first visible sign. Some individuals may also experience hoarseness in the voice, difficulty swallowing, persistent throat discomfort, or swollen lymph nodes. Most thyroid cancers are highly treatable, especially when diagnosed early. Papillary thyroid cancer, which occurs in the follicular cells of the thyroid that produce thyroglobulin (a protein), is the most common type, generally grows slowly, and has excellent survival rates. However, delayed diagnosis can allow the disease to spread to nearby lymph nodes or, in some cases, to other parts of the body.”
