Thyroid cancer

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer

Symptoms can include:

• Swelling or a lump in the neck near the Adam’s apple
• Enlarged lymph node
• Pain in the front region of neck
• Changes in voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent cough not caused by a cold

The cause of thyroid cancer is not well understood, but usually involve a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Typically thyroid cancer is identified through routine examination of the neck or unexpectedly through an x-ray performed for other reasons.

The cause of thyroid cancer is not well understood, but usually involve a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Typically thyroid cancer is identified through routine examination of the neck or unexpectedly through an x-ray performed for other reasons.

How is it diagnosed

If you or your doctor suspect thyroid cancer, several screening, tests, and procedures can be used to confirm a diagnosis.

• Physical examination of the neck, thyroid, throat and lymph nodes
• Blood tests
• Thyroid hormone levels
• Thyroid-simulating hormone (TSH)
• Tg and TgAb – Thyroidglobulin (Tg) or Thyroidglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
• Ultrasound
• Biopsy
• Fine needle aspiration
• Surgical biopsy
• Molecular testing of tumor
• Molecular testing of tumor
• X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan

Subtypes

What are the subtypes of thyroid cancer

• Differentiated - Tumors that look similar to normal tissue under a microscope
• Papillary: Most common type of thyroid cancer, often spreading to the lymph nodes. Occurs more frequently in women aging between 20 and 55.
• Follicular: Also known as Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma, developing from follicular cells and grows slowly. It accounts for 15% of thyroid cancer and occurs most commonly in women over 50.
• Huthle Cell: Also called Huthle Cell Carcinoma arising from follicular cells and more likely to spread to the lymph nodes than other types of follicular cancers.
• Undifferentiated – Cells are very immature and do not look like cells in the tissue which it originated from
• Medullary: Type of Thyroid Carcinoma which originates from parafollicular cells. Developing in the C cells and possibly the results of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2). These tumors are the third most common of all thyroid cancers.
• Anaplastic: A rare yet aggressive tumor with poor response to treatment due to its aggressive behavior causing pressure symptoms. Due to the its rapid growth, treatment can often times be difficult.
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Medications

Thyroid cancer

Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for thyroid cancer, dispenses specialty and non-specialty thyroid cancer medications including (but not limited to):

Accredo also dispenses traditional chemotherapy medications as well as supportive care medications ordered by your prescriber that are not listed above.