Thyroid Cancer Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Thyroid Cancer Overview Thyroid cancer is a malignancy in the thyroid gland. Symptoms It often presents as a painless lump in the neck and may cause symptoms like difficulty in swallowing or breathing. Diagnosis Blood tests, ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy to confirm cancer. Treatment Surgical removal of the thyroid gland, with radioactive iodine therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells, and thyroid hormone therapy to replace thyroid function. Regular follow-up is necessary to monitor for recurrence. Early detection and treatment improve outcomes, and ongoing research aims to develop more effective therapies for advanced thyroid cancer.