Thyroid cancer happens when cells in your thyroid gland start to grow in an abnormal way. Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits low in your neck. It controls your energy, metabolism and many daily body functions.
Finding thyroid cancer early gives you the best chance for successful treatment. The expert team at Banner Health is here to guide you every step of the way. Learn more about how thyroid cancer is tested and diagnosed.
Your health care provider may recommend testing if you have one more of these common symptoms:
These symptoms do not mean you have cancer. Many thyroid nodules are benign (not cancer). Testing helps your provider understand what is happening so they can choose the best next steps.
Your primary care provider may use several tests to check your thyroid. You may not need all of them. Your exam, symptoms and medical history help determine which tests are right for you.
Your visit often begins with a simple physical exam. Your provider will:
This exam helps guide what testing comes next.
A high-resolution thyroid ultrasound is one of the first and most important tests. It uses sound waves to create clear pictures of your thyroid.
What the ultrasound shows:
What to expect during the test:
Radiologists use a rating system (like TI-RADS) to decide if a nodule needs a biopsy.
Blood tests cannot diagnose thyroid cancer. They check how well the thyroid is working and may support other test findings.
Common blood tests include:
An FNA biopsy is the most common way to confirm or rule out thyroid cancer. It shows whether a thyroid nodule is benign or cancerous.
How the biopsy works:
Understanding your biopsy results:
If the results are indeterminate, your provider may suggest repeat testing, molecular testing or, in some cases, surgery.
Molecular testing looks for specific gene mutations or patterns in the nodule. It helps:
This test is most helpful when biopsy results are unclear.
Your provider may use additional imaging if more information is needed
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your care team will determine the cancer’s stage. Staging shows whether the cancer is only in the thyroid or has spread.
The most common system is the TNM system:
Specialists use stages 0 to 4 (0 to IV) to describe the cancer’s advancement. Your care team will explain your stage and what it means for treatment and recovery.
If tests confirm thyroid cancer, your care team will talk with you about:
Most people do very well with treatment, especially when thyroid cancer is found early.
Genetic testing may be helpful if you have a strong family history of thyroid cancer or known hereditary conditions. These rare conditions raise the chance of thyroid cancer and may require early screening.
Examples include:
A genetic counselor can help you understand your risks and decide if testing is right for you.
You can also request an appointment and we’ll call you back at a time most convenient for you.
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