Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland, and has affected 43,800 new Americans just this year. There are many symptoms and early warning signs of thyroid cancer that should be looked for if you are concerned you or someone you know might have it. Here are some of the most often overlooked thyroid cancer symptoms:

1. Chronic cough that’s not a cold

Many people develop a cough in their lifetime that goes away on its own. However, if you have a dry, hacking cough that isn’t going away on its own, it may be time to go to a doctor. That is because with thyroid cancer, sometimes the thyroid can swell or have growths, and as the growths get larger they can irritate your throat and may cause a long-lasting cough.

2. A feeling that close-fitting shirt collars are too tight

If your shirt collars are suddenly too tight on your neck it could be because you are experiencing swelling in your neck. Swelling at the front of your neck just below the adam’s apple is the main symptom of thyroid cancer. This is because the growth caused by the malignant cells can cause your neck to swell as these cells take up more and more space.

3. Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Difficulty swallowing or breathing could be caused by swelling in the neck. This is because the growth caused by the malignant cancer cells and the swelling of the thyroid can cause the rest of your throat, such as your esophagus and airways, to compress and have less space then normal. Patients with compressing symptoms sometimes feel a sensation of having food stuck in their throat as well.

4. Unexplained hoarseness

If you are experiencing unexplained hoarseness it could be a sign of something more serious. As your throat swells, the enlarged thyroid can put pressure on your vocal cords causing a rough, scratchy, or hoarse voice. Talking can become unpleasant or may even feel irritating with thyroid cancer due to the compression in the neck area.

5. Sore throat that doesn’t go away

A sore throat that doesn’t go away is yet another symptom of thyroid cancer caused by swelling in the throat. If you experience a sore throat that doesn’t go away for weeks it is possible that you have thyroid cancer as the swelling in the throat can cause an uncomfortable feeling and soreness that doesn’t go away.