Thyroid Cancer

Question 1

what are the types of thyroid cancer

Answer 1

papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic

Question 2

most common type of thyroid cancer

Answer 2

papillary

Question 3

risk factors for developing thyroid cancer

Answer 3

Childhood exposure to radiation

Medullary thyroid cancers may be familial and are associated with MEN IIa or IIb

Lymphoma is associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Question 4

presenting symptoms of thyroid cancer

Answer 4

Slow-growing neck lump

Discomfort swallowing

Hoarse voice

Question 5

signs of thyroid cancer on examination

Answer 5

bloods; thyroid function tests, bone profile, tumour markers

fine needle cytology

biopsy

isotope scan

CT/MRI for staging

Question 6

what are the tumour markers to diagnose thyroid cancer

Answer 6

thyroglobulin and calcitonin

Question 7

what tumour marker is characteristic of papillary and follicular thyroid cancer

Answer 7

thyroglobulin

Question 8

what tumour marker is characteristic of medullary thyroid cancer

Answer 8

calcitonin

Question 9

management of thyroid cancer

Answer 9

thyroidectomy and radiotherapy

Question 10

prognosis

Answer 10

5-year survival rate is near 100%