Thyroid cancer

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Endocrine glands

Thyroid cancer - CT scan

Thyroid cancer - CT scan

Thyroid gland

Tumor - thyroid; Cancer - thyroid

• Enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Neck swelling
• A thyroid nodule
• Hoarseness or changing voice
• Cough or cough with bleeding
• Difficulty swallowing

A physical examination can reveal a thyroid mass or nodule (usually in the lower part of the front of the neck), or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

Tests that indicate thyroid cancer:

• Thyroid biopsy showing anaplastic, follicular, medullary or papillary cancer cells
• Ultrasound of the thyroid showing a nodule
• Thyroid scan showing cold nodule (a nodule that does not light up on scan)
• Laryngoscopy showing paralyzed vocal cords
• Elevated serum calcitonin (for medullary cancer) or serum thyroglobulin (for papillary or follicular cancer)

• T4
• T3
• TSH

Review Date: 05/26/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.