Nowadays, thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the world. It develops in the thyroid gland which is a part of the endocrine system. In this article, we will get you acquainted with some of the best ways to diagnose thyroid cancer.

1. 5 Best Ways To Diagnose
Thyroid Cancer
by -
The ENT Specialty Group

3. 5 Best Ways To Diagnose Thyroid Cancer
An Overview
Nowadays, thyroid cancer is the fastest growing cancer in the world. It develops
in the thyroid gland which is a part of the endocrine system. Hormones are
produced in the thyroid gland thereby regulating body temperature, metabolism
and heart rate.
Since it is among the most discussed issues these days, in this article, we will get
you acquainted with some of the best ways to diagnose thyroid cancer.

4. 5 Ways To Diagnose Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Ultrasound
A thyroid ultrasound performed by a physician or a skilled healthcare provider is the
first step towards the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. More often than not, an ultrasound is
sufficient to make the diagnosis of cancer. This is because some thyroid cancers appear
to be very characteristic on your ultrasound. The physician must examine the thyroid
properly and all the areas of lymph nodes that are present in both sides of the throat
and may be involved with thyroid cancer.
If your ultrasound is not performed comprehensively and does not involve this
essential element, the thyroid cancer diagnosis may get missed and left behind after
surgery. This may result in further surgery and extensive treatment in the future.

5. Thyroid Biopsy
In the case of thyroid cancer diagnosis, during a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, your doctor will
extract cells from your thyroid gland to test for cancer cells. They may also perform an
ultrasound to guide the procedure of thyroid biopsy. A sentinel node biopsy can help figure out
whether or not the cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes. This procedure is performed by
inserting a very small needle into the thyroid nodule or lump.
Your doctor may also use an ultrasound simultaneously so as to see the small needle go
properly into the thyroid nodule. After the needle is removed, it will also extract a small
sampling of cells from the thyroid nodule. A pathologist then observes those cells under a
microscope to diagnose thyroid cancer. It is generally performed on all thyroid nodules that can
be felt.

6. Examination By A Physician
Many a time, a lymph node or nodule with thyroid cancer is diagnosed during an
examination. Performing self-checks of your thyroid and neck consistently, along with
regular visits to your healthcare advisor are quintessential in thyroid cancer diagnosis.
If not diagnosed on time, thyroid cancer can spread to lymph nodes in your neck.
You can also perform a self-check for thyroid cancer so as to detect enlarged lymph
nodes that have cancer. On the other hand, however, if you visit your healthcare
advisor frequently, then they will run a comprehensive physical exam as part of the
thyroid cancer diagnosis.

7. Blood Tests
Yes, thyroid cancer can be diagnosed by running blood tests as well, however,
only a little percentage of thyroid cancers can be detected with the help of
blood tests directly. Even papillary cancer, the most common type of thyroid
cancer, cannot be diagnosed with labs.
After all, normal thyroid hormone levels on your blood report do not necessarily
indicate that you are free from thyroid cancer. If you are not experiencing any
symptoms of thyroid cancer and yet your healthcare provider is sceptical, they
would first run a blood test to be sure.

8. CT Scan
In any medical condition, doctors usually suggest their patients get a CT scan
performed. Because of frequent use, various types of thyroid cancer are
diagnosed coincidentally. A CT scan helps the doctor in locating where the
abnormality is. Ultrasound and CT scan complement one another.
If you are getting a CT scan performed on your neck, it can also look at areas
that ultrasound cannot identify as the sound waves do not pass effectively
through cartridge, air or bones.

9. Radioiodine Scan
A radioiodine scan helps in detecting thyroid cancer and sees whether cancer
has spread or not. In this test, your healthcare provider will ask you to take a pill
that contains a sufficient amount of radioactive iodine.
After a few hours, your thyroid gland absorbs all the iodine. Then your doctor
will use a special device to determine the amount of radiation in the gland.

10. To Sum It Up!
Apart from the ways mentioned in this article, there are other ways to diagnose
thyroid cancer such as MRI as well as Nuclear Medicine Thyroid Uptake and
Scans. It all begins with a thorough study of a patient’s medical history and
physical examinations.
Regular check-ups with your primary healthcare provider, along with self-exam,
are extremely important. If you are also suffering from thyroid cancer, then the
next step would be to find the best thyroid cancer treatment that would be ideal
for your situation.

11. Thank You