Thyroid Cancer Flashcards
What is Thyroid cancer?
malignancy arising in the thyroid gland
List 4 types of thyroid cancer
Papillary: well differentiated, developed from follicular cells, spreads to neck
Follicular: well differentiated, developed from follicular cells, rarely spreads
Medullary: develops from C cells
Anaplastic: V rare, fast growing, poorly differentiated
List 3 risk factors for thyroid cancer
Childhood exposure to radiation
Medullary: associated with MEN 2 (?FHx)
Lymphoma is associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Describe the epidemiology of thyroid cancer
RARE F > M Papillary: 20-40 yrs Follicular: 40-50 yrs Anaplastic: more common in the ELDERLY
List 3 symptoms of thyroid cancer
Slow-growing neck lump
Discomfort swallowing
Hoarse voice
Give 2 signs of thyroid cancer
Palpable nodules or diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland
Cervical lymphadenopathy
What bloods are taken in thyroid cancer?
TFTs (normal)
Bone profile
Tumour Markers
What imaging may be used in suspected thyroid cancer?
US neck
What other investigations may be performed in thyroid cancer?
FNA: histological dx
Excision Lymph Node Biopsy: If cervical lymphadenopathy
Isotope Scan: If cause of thyroid lump is unclear
CT/MRI: for staging
Describe the thyroid function in most patients with thyroid cancer
Euthyroid
What serum marker may be high in medullary thyroid cancer?
Calcitonin
Reduces blood calcium
Wha serum marker may be elevated in papillary and follicular thyroid cancer?
Thyroglobulin
In which type of thyroid cancer may you see Orphan Anne nuclei and Psammoma bodies?
Papillary
In which type of thyroid cancer may you see Hurthle cells?
Follicular
In which type of thyroid cancer may you see giant cells and pleomorphic hyper chromatic nuclei?
Anaplastic
