Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Though the thyroid gland is small, it produces important hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from heart rate to calorie burning.

Development of one or more solid or fluid-filled lumps called nodules may form in your thyroid. In many cases, these are noncancerous and do not cause any major health risks. However, a small percentage of cases come back as cancerous and can result with serious complications.

Prognosis is often excellent for those that are diagnosed with thyroid cancer and can often be completely removed with surgery.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to outline the neck anatomy and detect abnormal growths. While very good at identifying whether a growth or nodule is present, ultrasound scans can't tell for sure whether it's malignant or benign. Ultrasound is safe, with virtually no complications associated with its use.

CT

A computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be ordered by your doctor to determine if cancer is present or evaluate if it has spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of your neck.