| Thyroid cancer refers to the malignant tumors of the | | | | changes in the voice. A physical examination is usually |
| thyroid gland. Cancers of the thyroid are usually | | | | done to confirm the presence of a nodule and after |
| classified according to their pathological characteristics. | | | | which the patient is referred to either an |
| According to this classification the four malignant | | | | endocrinologist or a thyroidologist. An ultrasound is |
| tumors of the thyroid are papillary, follicular, medullary | | | | usually done to confirm the presence of the nodule |
| and anaplastic. Thyroid adenoma is a benign tumor of | | | | and after which an assessment of the whole gland is |
| the thyroid. | | | | done. |
| Papillary and follicular are common tumors. These two | | | | A fine needle biopsy is used to determine if the nodule |
| types of tumors grow slowly and may recur. Normally, | | | | is malignant. This biopsy is normally accurate and |
| they are not deadly in patients aged 45 and below. | | | | affordable. A blood test may also be done before |
| Medullary tumors are relatively easy to treat when still | | | | instead of the biopsy and may be accompanied by an |
| localized but are usually hard to treat when metastasis | | | | ultrasound imaging of the nodule. The imaging helps to |
| occurs. Anaplastic tumors grow very fast and respond | | | | determine the position, size and the texture of the |
| poorly to therapy | | | | nodule. Radioactive iodine is commonly commonly used |
| The first symptom of thyroid cancer is usually a nodule | | | | to treat thyroid cancer and is usually followed by |
| in the thyroid region of the neck. The other symptoms | | | | thyroxin therapy. |
| are pain in the anterior region of the neck as well as | | | | |