Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Papillary Thyroid Cancer?
An endocrinologist (a doctor who treats hormone and thyroid problems) often leads care for papillary thyroid cancer. A thyroid surgeon (a doctor who operates on the thyroid) removes the cancer. An oncologist (a cancer doctor) may help if it has spread. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is papillary thyroid cancer?
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of the neck.
Papillary thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly and often spreads to lymph nodes (small glands) in the neck. The outlook is generally excellent, even when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. The National Cancer Institute says this type of cancer can be treated and can usually be cured.
Symptoms
Thyroid cancer often begins as a small lump, called a nodule, in the thyroid gland. Most of the time, the nodule causes no symptoms.
Check with your doctor if you have any of these:
- A lump (nodule) in the neck.
- Trouble swallowing, or pain when swallowing.
- Hoarseness, which means a rough or raspy voice.
Hoarseness is less common. It can happen if the cancer grows into the nerve that controls the vocal cords.
Most thyroid nodules are not cancer.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of papillary thyroid cancer is not known. It is more common in women than in men. It can occur in childhood, but it is most often seen in adults between ages 20 and 60. A genetic change or a family history of the disease may raise the risk.
Radiation exposure raises the risk of thyroid cancer. This includes high-dose radiation treatments to the neck, especially during childhood, and radiation from nuclear plant disasters. Routine X-rays, such as dental X-rays, chest X-rays, and mammograms, are not linked to a high risk of thyroid cancer.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will feel your neck for lumps and swelling and ask about your health history. If you have a thyroid lump, tests may include:
- Blood tests.
- An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to make a picture of the thyroid gland and neck.
- A fine-needle aspiration biopsy, which uses a thin needle to remove thyroid tissue so a doctor can check it for cancer cells.
- A CT scan or MRI of the neck to find the size of the tumor.
Genetic testing may be done on the biopsy sample to look for genetic changes, which may help guide treatment.
Treatment
Surgery is the first step in treatment for all types of thyroid cancer. The surgeon may remove only the lobe with the cancer, which is called a lobectomy, or the entire thyroid, which is called a total thyroidectomy. The choice depends on the size of the tumor and whether it has spread beyond the thyroid gland.
After surgery, you may get radioactive iodine therapy, which is often taken by mouth. It kills any remaining thyroid tissue. With higher doses, there may also be a small risk of other cancers later in life.
Most people who have a thyroidectomy for cancer need thyroid hormone pills afterward. The medicine is called levothyroxine, and it is taken for the rest of your life. It replaces the hormone the thyroid would normally make.
If surgery is not an option, external radiation therapy can be useful. Medicines have been approved for advanced thyroid cancer. These drugs rarely cure advanced cancers that have spread widely, but they can slow the growth of the cancer. An oncologist usually gives these medicines.
Treatment can cause problems. These include accidental removal of the parathyroid glands, which help control blood calcium, and damage to the nerve that controls the vocal cords.
You will need lifelong checkups, even after successful treatment. Thyroid cancer can come back, and follow-up visits include a neck exam, a neck ultrasound, and blood tests.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have a lump in your neck. Also check with your doctor if you have trouble swallowing, pain when swallowing, or hoarseness. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine a neck lump and order first tests, such as blood tests or an ultrasound. After cancer treatment, they can help with follow-up care and coordinate your specialists, since lifelong monitoring is needed.
Common questions
Can papillary thyroid cancer be cured?
Papillary thyroid cancer can usually be cured. More than 95% of adults with this cancer live at least 5 years.
Will I need thyroid medicine after treatment?
Most people who have a thyroidectomy for cancer will need thyroid hormone pills. The pills are called levothyroxine, and they replace the hormone the thyroid used to make. Your provider will likely order a blood test every several months to check thyroid hormone levels.
Does a lump in my thyroid mean I have cancer?
No, most thyroid nodules are not cancer. Still, a lump should be checked, because a biopsy can show whether it is cancer.
What raises the risk of papillary thyroid cancer?
High-dose radiation to the neck in childhood, being female, and a family history of the disease can raise the risk.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Thyroid cancer - papillary carcinoma
- National Cancer Institute - Thyroid Cancer Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version
- American Thyroid Association - Thyroid Cancer (Papillary and Follicular)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
