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Endocrinology > Thyroid Cancer > Flashcards

Thyroid Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is the name for the group of muscles that surrounds the thyroid? Name the muscles in the group.

A

Strap muscles

Sternothyroid
Sternohyoid
Thyrohyoid
Omohyoid

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2
Q

What makes the thyroid unique to other endocrine glands?

A

It is able to produce and store up the hormones it produces, in its colloid

None of the others can

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3
Q

Why is T4 hormone called T4 and T3 called T3?

A

T4 contains 4 iodine ions

T3 contains 3

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4
Q

What is tyrosine?

A

An amino acid, it is seen in the structure of T3 and 4

As well as the catecholamines

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5
Q

What are the catecholamines?

A

A group of amines which includes the neurotransmitters dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline

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6
Q

T3 and T4 contain tyrosine. Where else is tyrosine seen in the body?

A

Catecholamines:

  • dopamine
  • adrenaline
  • noradrenaline
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7
Q

What are the functions of the thyroid?

A

Vital for development of CNS and PNS

Regulation of metabolism

Involved in sympathetic nervous system (adrenergic)

Needed for making growth hormone

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8
Q

What type of neurotransmitters are used in the sympathetic nervous system?
Also, name the receptors?

A

Adrenergic

Alpha + beta

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9
Q

Which cells DON’T the thyroid hormones act on? Why?

A

Red blood cells

Thyroid hormones act on the nuclei and RBCs don’t have nuclei

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10
Q

What does euthyroidism mean?

A

Normally functioning thyroid

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11
Q

Why does iodine deficiency cause hypothyroidism and goitre?

A

Iodine deficiency means not enough thyroid hormones can be produced, hence hypothyroidism

Goitre occurs because the body senses the lack of thyroid hormones in the blood, so stimulates the TSH receptor to produce more thyroid hormones

This can’t happen due to low iodine so the continual stimulation of TSH makes the thyroid proliferate = goitre

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12
Q

What is the difference between thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroidism?

A

Thyrotoxicosis = elevate T3 + 4 which may or may not be caused by excess secretion by the thyroid

Hyperthyroidism = elevated T3 + 4 which is definitely caused by excess secretion by the thyroid

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13
Q

What does goitre mean?

A

Enlarged thyroid

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14
Q

Is goitre always a sign of pathology?

A

No, goitre is seen in many healthy people

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15
Q

Where are the parathyroid glands in relation to the thyroid?

A

There are 4 of them
Two on each side, on the back of the thyroid

Between the thyroid and the trachea

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16
Q

What do the parathyroid glands do?

A

Secrete parathyroid hormone, which acts to raise calcium levels in the blood if they are too low

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17
Q

How does parathyroid hormone increase calcium levels in the blood?

A

Stimulates osteoclast activity
Inhibits osteoblasts

Reduces loss of Ca in urine

Increases Ca absorption from food

18
Q

Name the types of thyroid cancers there are?

A

Differentiated:

  • papillary
  • follicular

Medullary

Undifferentiated (anaplastic)

Lymphoma

19
Q

What is differentiated thyroid cancer?

A

Either papillary or follicular

They arise from thyroid epithelium, the malignant cells are very similar to normal cells

20
Q

What is medullary thyroid cancer?

A

A type of neuroendocrine tumour

Develops from C cells, that produced calcitonin

21
Q

What is undifferentiated thyroid cancer?

A

Anaplastic

The malignant cells do not look or act like the normal thyroid cells

22
Q

Which is the most common type of thyroid cancer?

A

Differentiated: papillary, follicular

23
Q

Where do differentiated thyroid cancers spread?

A

Locally
Lung
Bone

24
Q

Where do undifferentiated thyroid cancers spread?

A

Locally

25
Q

Where do medullary cell thyroid cancers spread?

A

Locally

Metastasis to lymph, lung, etc.

26
Q

Which type of thyroid cancer is more common in younger people?

A

Differentiated

27
Q

Which type of thyroid cancer is more common in the elderly?

A

Undifferentiated

28
Q

Which type of thyroid cancer is the most aggressive?

A

Undifferentiated

29
Q

Investigation of a thyroid cancer?

A

Blood:
- raised calcitonin = medullary

Isotope uptake scan: shows where the cancer is

Biopsy: too see what cells are involved

Cytology: get some cells using a needle and send them off for analysis

30
Q

What are the characteristic signs of thyroid cancer?

A

A hard, fast growing lump on thyroid

Weight loss
Hoarse voice

31
Q

What is thyroid lymphoma?

A

Lymphoma: malignancy of lymphocytes

That causes a tumour to develop in the thyroid

32
Q

What thyroid condition is known to develop into thyroid lymphoma?

A

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

33
Q

Which lymphocytes are usually afflicted in thyroid lymphoma?

A

B, but can be T as well

34
Q

Treatment of thyroid cancers?

A

Drugs:

  • radioiodine
  • Levo-thyroxine

Surgery: removal of thyroid

35
Q

Which other organs of the body does iodine go to besides the thyroid?

A 
Salivary, parotid glands
Placenta
Choroid plexus (CSF produced in brain)
36
Q

How does radioiodine treat thyroid cancer?

A

thyroid takes up iodine, so it will take up radioiodine too

The iodine can get right into the cells and damage/kill them with the radioactivity

37
Q

How does thyroxine treat thyroid cancer?

A

It suppresses TSH levels, so the thyroid is not stimulated as much so it doesn’t proliferate as much

38
Q

Is Levo-thyroxine used for hyper or hypothyroidism?

A

Hypothyroidism

39
Q

Which thyroid cancer has the best prognosis?

A

Differentiated, there are good drugs to treat it and it is slow growing

40
Q

Which thyroid cancer would you find high calcitonin levels in the blood?

A

Medullary

Endocrinology (19 decks)

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