Thyroid Cancer Flashcards
How common are Thyroid lumps?
Common, seen in 5% of population
Are a lot of thyroid lumps cancerous?
No, barely any are cancerous
What are the main types of Thyroid cancer? (5 things)
- Papillary carcinoma (75%)
- Follicular carcinoma (15%)
- Medullary carcinoma (3%)
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer (5%)
- Lymphoma (1%)
Which demographic of people is Papillary carcinoma usually seen in? (2 things)
- 40-50 years
- Women
How is Papillary carcinoma commonly spread?
Via lymphatics
Which demographic of people is Follicular carcinoma usually seen in? (2 things)
- 40-60 years
- Women
How is Medullary carcinoma commonly spread?
Via haematogenous spread (to bones + lungs)
Where do Medullary carcinomas arise?
In parafollicular cells (C cells)
What is raised in Medullary carcinomas?
Calcitonin levels
How is Medullary carcinoma commonly spread? (2 things)
- Lymphatic routes
- Medullary routes
Which demographic of people is Anaplastic thyroid cancer usually seen in?
Elderly
What is bad about Anaplastic thyroid cancer?
It’s very aggressive (grows rapidly + early local invasion)
What is the prognosis of Anaplastic thyroid cancer?
Poor, tx is often supportive
Which demographic of people are Lymphomas usually seen in?
Over 60s
What are the RF for Thyroid Cancer? (4 things)
- Female
- FHx
- Radiation exposure @ childhood
- Hashimoto’s disease
What does the FHx RF for Thyroid cancer include?
Cancer syndromes like MEN syndrome
What type of Thyroid cancer is Hashimoto’s especially a RF for?
Lymphoma
How can Thyroid cancer present? (3 things)
- Palpable lump
- Multiple lump
- Asymptomatic (found incidentally on imaging)
What are the RED FLAGS for any neck lump that suggest cancer? (5 things)
- Rapid growth
- Pain
- Cough / hoarseness / stridor
- Multiple enlarged Cervical lymph nods
- Lumps tethering to surrounding structures
What are the CF of Thyroid cancer? (5 things)
- Goitre (neck lump) (90%)
- Hoarseness (10%)
- Dysphagia (10%)
- Stridor (10%)
- Dyspnoea (10%)