Thyroid Nodules Flashcards
What percentage of women suffer from solitary thyroid nodules?
5%
Of the women who suffer from solitary thyroid nodules, what percentage suffer from malignant thyroid nodules?
5%
Which types of solitary thyroid nodules are benign?
- Thyroid cysts
- Colloid nodules
- Benign follicular adenoma
- Hyperplastic nodules
Which types of malignant thyroid nodules are malignant?
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma
- Follicular thyroid carcinoma
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Lymphoma
- Poorly differentiated
What percentage of malignant solitary thyroid nodules are papillary thyroid carcinomas?
80%
Follicular thyroid carcinoma are cancers of which cells?
Parafollicular C cells
How are follicular thyroid carcinomas spread?
Haematogenous spread
How can it be confirmed that a thyroid nodule is within the thyroid?
If it moves on swallowing it is invested in pretracheal fascia
What are 2 essential questions to ask in a history for a solitary thyroid nodule?
- Previous neck of irradiation
- Family history of thyroid cancer
What are two keys things to look for on examination for a solitary thyroid nodule?
- Neck nodes
- Hoarseness (and bovine cough)
Why are neck nodes a major worry if found in the context of a solitary thyroid nodule?
Lymph node spread of a papillary thyroid carcinoma
Why is hoarseness and a bovine cough a worry if found on examination in the context of a solitary thyroid nodule?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy may indicate an aggressive thyroid cancer
What is a bovine cough?
A wheezing type cough caused due to inability to close the rima glottidis
Which three investigations would be undertaken primarily if there is a solitary thyroid nodule?
- TSH
- USS
- FNA
Why may a core biopsy be superior to a FNA of a solitary thyroid nodule?
It gives more idea about morphology and structure
If TSH is elevated when testing for a solitary thyroid nodule, what may this suggest?
Hypothyroidism
Autoimmune thyroiditis
If TSH levels are suppressed when testing a solitary thyroid nodule, what may be the cause an which inestigation would then be a good idea?
Solitary toxic adenoma
Isotope scan
(the tumour does not take up the isotope, but the rest of the gland does)