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Exam - M - endocrine pathology (Megan) > Thyroid cancer > Flashcards

Thyroid cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main cells types in the thyroid gland?

A

Follicular cells - secrete thyroxine

Parafollicular cells - secrete calcitonin

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2
Q

What are the signs of thyroid cancer?

A 
Painless nodule 
Hard to move module
Hoarse voice
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Swollen neck lymph nodes
Diarrhoea and flushing
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3
Q

Which signs are seen if the tumour secretes other hormones?

A

Flushing (serotonin)

Diarrhoea

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4
Q

What is the most common type of thyroid cancer?

A

Papillary carcinoma 80%

Occurs from follicular cells

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5
Q

What is the second most common thyroid cancer?

A

Follicular carcinoma 15%

Also arises from follicular cells

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6
Q

What are causes of papillary carcinoma?

A

Exposure to ionising radiation

BRAF mutations

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7
Q

What are causes of follicular carcinomas?

A

Countries with low dietary iodine

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8
Q

How do papillary carcinomas spread?

A

Via the lymphatic system

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9
Q

What is the histology of papillary cancer?

A

Cells often have no nuclei

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10
Q

How does follicular carcinomas spread?

A

Via the blood vessels

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11
Q

Where does follicular carcinomas spread to?

A

Lungs
Liver
Bone
Brain

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12
Q

What is a cold nodule?

A

Most tumours are cold nodules - meaning they don’t function like the normal thyroid gland by secreting hormones.

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13
Q

What is a thyroid cancer with a very poor prognosis?

A

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Rapid invasion and usually can’t be operated on

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14
Q

Which patient usually gets anaplastic thyroid carcinoma?

A

They are rare

Older patients

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15
Q

How can thyroid cancer be diagnosed?

A

Thyroid ultrasound
Radioiodine scan
Fine needle aspiration - gold standard

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16
Q

What are treatments for thyroid cancer?

A

Thyroidectomy - partial or full, followed by thyroid hormone replacement
Radioactive iodine
External radiotherapy
Chemotherapy

17
Q

How are papillary and follicular carcinomas usually treated?

A

With surgery followed by radioactive iodine treatment

18
Q

After radioactive iodine treatment how long can people not have kids for?

A

Females - 6 months

Males - 4 months

19
Q

Which type of tumour is often part of the MEN syndrome?

A

Medullary carcinomas - they arise from parafollicular cells and often release other hormones (causing blushing and diarrhoea)

Exam - M - endocrine pathology (Megan) (14 decks)

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