Diseases
thyroid cancer
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the throat near the trachea (windpipe). It is shaped like a butterfly, with a right lobe and a left lobe. The isthmus, a thin piece of tissue, connects the two lobes.
Symptoms
- a lump (nodule) that can be felt through the skin on your neck
- a feeling that close-fitting shirt collars are becoming too tight
- changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness
- difficulty swallowing
- swollen lymph nodes in your neck
Causes
- thyroid cancer happens when cells in the thyroid develop changes in their dna. a cell's dna contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do.
Risk factors
- female sex. thyroid cancer occurs more often in women than in men.
- exposure to high levels of radiation.
- certain inherited genetic syndromes
Diagnosis
- physical exam.
- biopsy
- thyroid function blood tests.
- ultrasound imaging.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a gland at the base of the throat near the trachea (windpipe). It is shaped like a butterfly, with a right lobe and a left lobe. The isthmus, a thin piece of tissue, connects the two lobes.
What are the symptoms of thyroid cancer?
a lump (nodule) that can be felt through the skin on your neck, a feeling that close-fitting shirt collars are becoming too tight, changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes in your neck
What causes thyroid cancer?
thyroid cancer happens when cells in the thyroid develop changes in their dna. a cell's dna contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do.
Which medicines are used for thyroid cancer?
sorafenib
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