The thyroid is a tiny butterfly shaped gland in the neck that plays a major role in total-body metabolism by production of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone affects many functions including heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, bowel function, hair growth, and weight.
It is common for the thyroid gland to develop thyroid nodules, which are lumps within the thyroid gland. These nodules are often benign or non-cancerous. However, certain thyroid nodules are thyroid cancer or are at high risk of becoming cancerous.
Thyroid cancer is being found earlier than in the past which makes it easier to treat with an excellent prognosis. All it takes is a lump on your neck found by you, your doctor, or an imaging test to begin the process of a diagnosis. Let’s discover how thyroid cancer is detected.
Suspicious Nodules
Suspicious nodules are often found incidentally when you undergo an imaging test for another reason. They are also found if your doctor suspects an abnormality in your neck and orders a neck ultrasound. Feeling a lump in your neck is another one of the signs you may have a suspicious thyroid nodule in addition to other symptoms.
They include:
Feeling like close collared shirts are too tight- Changes in your voice which become like hoarseness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in your neck and throat
- The lump or nodule can be felt on the neck through your skin
Tests and Procedure to Determine a Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
Physical exam
Board-certified general surgeon Dr. Justin Malek at Advanced Surgeons, P.C. will begin with a physical exam feeling your neck for a lump. You may be asked about risk factors like past exposure to radiation or if you have a family history of thyroid problems.
Thyroid function blood tests
A simple blood test will not identify thyroid cancer, but tests that measure the thyroid stimulating hormone TSH will give your physician some clues about how healthy your thyroid gland is and how it is functioning.
Ultrasound imaging
Ultrasound Imaging is used to evaluate if the nodule is possibly cancerous. It will look for calcium deposits known as microcalcifications, border irregularity of the nodule, and whether the nodule is extending into surrounding structures.
Fine needle aspiration
A fine needle aspiration or a biopsy will occur if the nodule seems suspicious. Ultrasound imaging will guide the needle placement into the nodule. Cells will be removed and sent to a pathologist for evaluation. The pathologist will analyze the sample for cancer cells; however, sometimes the results are uncertain. In this case, the cells may be sent for molecular testing to assess for genetic mutations at high-risk for cancer, a repeat biopsy may be performed, or surgery may be offered depending on the specific patient.
Radioactive tracer imaging
A radioactive tracer imaging test may be recommended. This is a scan using radioactive iodine and a special camera to detect cancer cells in the body. This is often used post surgery to find any remaining cancer cells. Other imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan may be needed to determine if cancer has spread beyond the thyroid.
Most thyroid cancers have an excellent prognosis and can be successfully treated when caught early.
Schedule a Thyroid Cancer Appointment in Birmingham, AL
Contact Dr. Justin Malek at Advanced Surgeons, P.C. for an evaluation if you have a suspicious lump in your neck or are experiencing any of the symptoms of thyroid cancer. Call (205) 595-8985 to schedule an appointment at our general surgery clinic in Birmingham, AL today.
Sources: Thyroid Cancer | Cancer of the Thyroid | American Cancer Society
Thyroid cancer – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
How To Tell If You Have Thyroid Cancer: Symptoms & Diagnosis (webmd.com)