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
