Thyroid cancer

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Endocrine glands Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid cancer - CT scan Thyroid gland

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Thyroid cancer

• Enlargement or a nodule of the thyroid gland or neck swelling
• 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 carcinoma cells
• Ultrasound of the thyroid revealing 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

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