Thyroid nodules Flashcards
What is the thyroid’s function?
The main purpose of this organ is to produce, store and secrete the iodine-based hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones have various effects on fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as on the development especially central nervous system and general growth.
What are the thyroid hormones used for?
The T4, or rather the T3 derived from it, and the T3 released directly by the thyroid gland influence the metabolism of your body cells. In other words, it regulates the speed with which your body cells work. If too much of the thyroid hormones are released, the body cells work faster than normal, and you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). If you become hyperthyroid because of too much thyroid hormone, the increased activity of your body cells or body organs may lead, for example, to a quickening of your heart rate or increased activity of your intestine so that you have frequent bowel motions or even diarrhoea.
On the other hand, if too little of the thyroid hormones are produced, the cells and organs of your body slow down. This is known as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). If you become hypothyroid, your heart rate, for example, may be slower than normal and your intestines may work sluggishly, so you become constipated.
Give 6 types of thyroid nodules:
1) single thyroid nodule
2) multinodular goitre
3) retrosternal goitre
4) thyroid cysts
5) thyroid follicular adenoma
6) thyroid cancer
Name 4 types of thyroid cancer:
1) papillary thyroid cancer
2) follicular carcinoma
3) medullary thyroid cancer
4) anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
What is the most common type of thyroid cancer?
papillary thyroid cancer
What is the second most common type of thyroid cancer?
follicular carcinoma
What is the most aggressive type of thyroid cancer?
anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
What thyroid cancer is associated with MEN type 2a?
medullary thyroid cancer
True or false: benign thyroid disease e.g. Hashimoto’s increases risk of thyroid cancer
true
What is papillary thyroid cancer?
Papillary thyroid cancer typically develops from the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by its small, finger-like projections called papillae.
Papillary thyroid cancer tends to be less aggressive and less likely to spread beyond the thyroid gland than other types of thyroid cancer.
While it may spread to nearby lymph nodes, papillary thyroid cancer typically doesn’t spread to distant organs, such as the lungs or bones.
What is follicular carcinoma?
Follicular carcinoma (also called Follicular thyroid cancer) is called a “well differentiated” thyroid cancer like papillary thyroid cancer, but it is typically a bit more malignant (aggressive) than papillary cancer. Follicular thyroid cancer occurs in a slightly older age group than papillary thyroid cancer does and is also less common in children. In contrast to papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer occurs only rarely after radiation exposure.
What is anaplastic thyroid cancer?
Anaplastic thyroid cancer is one of the most aggressive and fastest-growing types of cancer. It can grow and spread rapidly in a matter of weeks.
About 50% of people with ATC have metastasis (cancer spread) in distant areas of their body at diagnosis. The most common sites of distant metastasis in ATC are your lungs, bones and brain.
Give 6 clinical presentations associated with thyroid cancer:
1) neck lump
2) hoarse
3) dysphagia
4) odynophagia
5) weight loss
6) fatigue
What is odynophagia?
painful swallowing
What blood test can be used if MEN is suspected?
plasma calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen
