​Thyroid Cancer​​

Thyroid cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. As the condition progresses, common symptoms include:

• A lump or swelling in the neck: May be the first noticeable sign.
• Hoarseness or voice changes: Persistent changes in voice tone.
• Difficulty swallowing: Due to tumor growth pressing on the esophagus.
• Neck or throat pain: Persistent or worsening pain in the area.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck region.​
  

Consult our ENT​ or Oncology experts if you experience:

• A lump in the neck that persists or grows.
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• Unexplained voice changes or persistent hoarseness.
• Pain in the neck that does not resolve.

Early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes and helps prevent complications.​

Your time with your doctor may be limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started.​

To diagnose thyroid cancer, healthcare providers may perform:

• Physical Examination: Checking for lumps or abnormalities in the neck.
• Blood Tests: Evaluating thyroid hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
• Ultrasound Imaging: To detect and assess thyroid nodules.
• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Sampling tissue from a nodule to check for cancer cells.
• Genetic Testing: In cases of medullary thyroid cancer to assess inherited conditions.​
  

Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on the type, stage, and overall health of the patient and may include:

• Surgery: Removal of part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy).
• Radioactive Iodine Therapy: Used to destroy any remaining thyroid cancer cells after surgery.
• Thyroid Hormone Therapy: To replace missing hormones and prevent tumor recurrence.
• External Beam Radiation Therapy: Targeted radiation for cases where surgery is not possible.
• Chemotherapy: Used in aggressive forms such as anaplastic thyroid cancer.
• Targeted Drug Therapy: For advanced thyroid cancer that does not respond to other treatments.​
  

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialised clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the 'Numbers' section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatment costs and authorise admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the 'Numbers' section on the website homepage.​

Your doctor or nurse will provide specific instructions regarding any prescribed medications. It is essential to follow their guidance carefully. Self-prescribing or altering medication without professional advice can be harmful. Inform your healthcare provider of any past adverse reactions to medications.