Thyroid Cancer Flashcards
Define Thyroid Cancer?
Malignancy arising in the thyroid gland
What are the types of Thyroid Cancer?
Papillary
Follicular
Medullary
Anaplastic
What are the risk factors of Thyroid Cancer?
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
What is the epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer?
RARE More common in Females Papillary: 20-40 years Follicular: 40-50 years Anaplastic: More common in the ELDERLY
What are the presenting symptoms of Thyroid Cancer?
Slow-growing neck lump
Discomfort swallowing
Hoarse voice
What are the signs of Thyroid Cancer on physical examination?
Palpable nodules or diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland
Cervical lymphadenopathy leads to suspect malignancy
The patient is usually euthyroid
What investigations do we do for Thyroid Cancer?
Bloods Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNA) Excision Lymph Node Biopsy Isotope Scan CT/MRI scan
What bloods do we do for Thyroid Cancer?
TFTs
Bone Profile
Tumour markers
What tumour markers do we look for in Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroglobulin - papillary and follicular
Calcitonin - medullary
Why do we do Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology for Thyroid Cancer?
Allows histological diagnosis
Why do we do Excision Lymph Node Biopsy in Thyroid Cancer?
If there is cervical lymphadenopathy
Why do we do an Isoptope Scan in Thyroid Cancer?
If the cause of the thyroid lump is unclear
Why do we do CT/MRI in Thyroid Cancer?
For Staging
