Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It grows slowly and usually shows up as a painless lump in the neck.

Neck lump is the star. You feel or see a bump at the base of your throat that moves up when you swallow.

Hoarseness creeps in. Your voice sounds raspy or deeper, and throat clearing doesn’t help.

Swallowing can catch. Pills or bread feel like they stick for a second, especially when you look up.

Neck swelling may spread. Lymph nodes under the jaw or along the side of the neck can puff up, sometimes before the main lump is noticed.

Pain is rare but can shoot into your ear or jaw if the tumor grows fast.

Late signs include a hard, fixed mass, rapid heartbeat, weight loss, or diarrhea—an alarm that the tumor is pumping out too much thyroid hormone.