A 54-year-old woman discovered she had thyroid cancer from a symptom that many people often ignore: a small lump in the neck.

Thought It Was Just a Swollen Lymph Node, but It Turned Out to Be Thyroid Cancer

Ms. Hien noticed a lump in her neck that had been there for almost a month. At first, she thought it was a harmless swollen lymph node that would go away on its own. However, after two weeks, the lump grew larger and became painful when pressed, prompting her to seek medical attention.

At Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, doctors found she had multinodular goiter with mostly benign nodules. One nodule was 3 cm in size and showed signs of internal bleeding, which likely caused the pain. Another nodule, located in the thyroid isthmus (the narrow band of tissue connecting the two lobes), measured 14×9 mm and was classified as TIRADS 3 — a category generally considered low risk for malignancy.

Surgery Was the Right Choice

Although the nodules appeared benign, doctors opted for surgery to remove one lobe of the thyroid and part of the other, to eliminate all nodules and reduce the risk of future regrowth or malignancy.

During the two-hour surgery, the surgical team successfully removed the affected thyroid tissues while preserving critical nerves and blood vessels. The patient recovered quickly without complications such as hoarseness or numbness and was discharged just two days after the operation.

Cancer Diagnosis Confirmed Through Pathology

A week later, pathology results revealed that among the many nodules, one tiny 3 mm nodule was malignant. The final diagnosis was early-stage follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Dr. Phan Vu Hong Hai emphasized the importance of post-surgical histopathological evaluation, as imaging alone may not always reveal malignancy. Timely surgery allowed for complete removal of the cancer while preserving part of the thyroid, thus avoiding total thyroid hormone dependence.

Thyroid Cancer Is Becoming More Common — But Has a Good Prognosis

According to Dr. Le Thi Ngoc Hang, thyroid cancer is categorized into four main types: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Ms. Hien’s case — a follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma — is among the types with a very favorable prognosis. With proper treatment, the 5-year survival rate exceeds 98%.

However, early-stage thyroid cancer often shows no obvious symptoms. Attentive individuals may notice signs such as a lump in the neck, difficulty swallowing, neck discomfort, hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss.

How to Prevent Thyroid Cancer?

Experts recommend the following to help prevent thyroid cancer:

• Get regular health checkups, especially if there is a family history of thyroid disease.

• Eat a healthy diet rich in leafy greens, fresh fruits, whole grains, and fiber.

• Limit processed foods and unhealthy fats; ensure adequate iodine intake.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: avoid smoking, limit alcohol, and manage stress.

• If you notice any unusual neck symptoms, see a doctor early for timely diagnosis and treatment.