What are the common symptoms and signs that should prompt an urgent referral for suspected thyroid cancer?

Signs and symptoms prompting urgent referral for suspected thyroid cancer include:

• An unexplained thyroid lump,
• A thyroid mass associated with unexplained hoarseness or voice change,
• A thyroid mass associated with cervical or supraclavicular lymphadenopathy,
• Sudden onset of a rapidly expanding, painless thyroid mass that significantly increases in size over days and weeks,
• A suspected thyroid nodule with other red flags or risk factors for malignancy,
• A suspected thyroid nodule with associated compressive symptoms such as breathlessness or dysphagia.

This is supported by NICE guidelines recommending urgent referral within 2 weeks in these cases ¹.