Thyroid Cancer

RARE
Cancer with GOOD PROGNOSIS

3 types of cancers :

1. Papillary Thyroid Cancer (90%)
2. Vesicular Cancer (10%), poor prognosis, Calcitonin marker assay recommended.
3. Anaplastic Cancer

Risk factor: radiation exposure.

DIAGNOSIS

- Often asymptomatic
- Medical examination: nodule palpation
- Imaging: ultrasounds + scintigraphy. Occasionally, a scan will also be necessary to eva-luate spread as well as compressive forms.
- Cytopuncture

TREATMENT

- Surgery: complete thyroidectomy + neck lymphadenectomy
- Postoperatively: radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for 6 weeks, destruction of residual tumour tissue by radioactive iodine injection.

SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS

- Compressive cervical hematoma: vital emergency
- Recurrent impairment: lesion of one of the two recurrent nerves. Mostly leads to hoarse-ness and bitonality as well as choking. Complete recovery in 90% of cases.
- Treatment: vocal rehab sessions with a speech therapist
- Hypoparathyroidism:

Affects all 4 parathyroid glands Clinically leads to disabling tingling feeling and asthenia. Calcium treatment for life