Thyroid cancer

Last reviewed: 30 Apr 2023
Last updated: 10 Jan 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presence of risk factors
  • palpable thyroid nodule
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • early adulthood
  • family history of thyroid cancer
  • hoarseness
  • dyspnoea
  • dysphagia
  • tracheal deviation
  • cervical lymphadenopathy
  • rapid neck enlargement
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • head and neck irradiation
  • female sex
  • family history of thyroid cancer
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • TSH
  • ultrasound, neck
  • fine-needle aspiration
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • molecular analysis of cytology specimens
  • free T4
  • free T3
  • laryngoscopy
  • I-123 thyroid scan and uptake
  • core biopsy
  • CT neck
  • serum calcitonin
  • genetic testing for familial syndromes
More investigations to consider

Emerging tests

  • translaryngeal ultrasound
  • sentinel node biopsy

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

papillary, follicular, or Hürthle

anaplastic

medullary

primary thyroid lymphoma

Contributors

Authors

Rajiv Datta, MD, FACS, FRCS, FICS
Rajiv Datta

Chairman

Department of Surgery

Professor Of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Chief

Division of Surgical Oncology

Chief

Division of Head and Neck Surgery

Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Oceanside

NY

Disclosures

RD declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Rosemarie Metzger, MD, MPH, FACS

Associate Professor of Surgery, Endocrine Surgery Division

Banner - University Medical Center

Phoenix

AZ

Disclosures

RM declares that she has no competing interests.

Lindsay Bischoff, MD

Associate Professor

Medical Director Vanderbilt Thyroid Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville

TN

Disclosures

LB declares that she has no competing interests.

F. Fausto Palazzo, MS, FRCS

Consultant Endocrine Surgeon

Hammersmith & Charing Cross Hospitals

Clinical Lead for Endocrine Surgery

Honorary Senior Lecturer

Imperial College

London

UK

Disclosures

FFP declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Thyroid cancer images
  • Differentials

    • Benign thyroid nodule
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology: thyroid carcinoma
    • Practice parameter for the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound of the thyroid and extracranial head and neck
    More Guidelines
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