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Anaplastic thyroid cancer



Thyroid cancer - CT scan
Thyroid cancer - CT scan
Thyroid gland
Thyroid gland


Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Alternative Names:

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
Symptoms:
  • Lower neck mass, often noted to be enlarging
  • Hoarseness or changing voice
  • Cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Loud breathing

Signs and tests:

A physical examination may show a neck mass.

  • A thyroid biopsy shows anaplastic carcinoma
  • An isotope study of the thyroid (thyroid scan) shows this mass to be "cold", meaning it does not absorb the isotope.
  • A CT scan or MRI may show a tumor growing from the thyroid gland.
  • An examination of the airway with a fiberoptic scope (laryngoscopy) may show a paralyzed vocal cord.



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