Don’t ignore lump or swelling in neck: Doctors

Patna: Any kind of lump or swelling in the neck or trouble in swallowing, hoarseness and constant cough should not be ignored as these could be the symptoms of thyroid cancer, say experts.

Head of the department of nuclear medicine and in-charge of thyroid cancer (nuclear medicine) at AIIMS-Patna, Dr Pankaj Kumar said, “All neck swelling is not symptoms of cancer. However, one should get it diagnosed.”

He especially advised those people who have a first degree relative with thyroid cancer to seek immediate medical help in case they see any such symptoms.

“They have many chances of having cancer, especially women who suffer from this issue more than men,” he said.

He also talked about the importance of radioiodine therapy, used in treating hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

While the department for treatment of thyroid cancer has been set last year, Dr Kumar said because of lack of awareness, not many people come for medical help. He said around 40 such patients visited his department in a year. “They had been in different stages of cancer,” he said.

In a statement to the press, AIIMS-Patna stated the hospital will soon come up with high radioiodine therapy, which will be the first of its kind in Bihar.