What tests should be done for thyroid cancer

What tests should be done for thyroid cancer? Patients with thyroid cancer are thinking about timely treatment and how to treat it, but they don’t know that the examination before treatment is also very important, because only after the examination can we understand the specific cause of thyroid cancer and decide which treatment method is more appropriate. So, what tests should be done for thyroid cancer?

1. Radionuclide examination

This examination can clarify the shape, location and function of the thyroid gland, and has become a routine method for diagnosing thyroid diseases. Thyroid scans are often performed simultaneously with iodine uptake. About 90% of thyroid glands have iodine uptake functions lower than normal. Generally, a single cold nodule is more likely to be a malignant tumor, with a detection rate of 54.5%.

2. Laboratory examination

Radioimmunoassays of T3, T4, TSH and thyroid antibody TG can identify the nature of nodules. If TG continues to increase, it indicates the possibility of metastasis and recurrence. TSH can be used as a basis for adjusting the dose of thyroid tablets. Patients suspected of medullary carcinoma should measure the level of serum calcitonin. If it is above the normal maximum value of 0.2μg/L (200Pg/ml), it has diagnostic value and can be further tested for calcium stimulation; 14mg/kg of calcium chloride is injected intravenously, and serum calcitonin is measured in about 4 hours. The maximum value can reach 1.0μg/L (1000Pg/ml). At this time, the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma can be basically confirmed. This is one of the examination methods for thyroid cancer.

3. Ultrasound examination

This examination can not only detect the shape, size, and number of thyroid tumors, but more importantly, it can determine whether they are cystic or solid. Solid tumors with irregular edges are commonly medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. When the cancer has extensively infiltrated and metastasized to the neck, B-ultrasound can show whether the blood vessels are compressed or surrounded by the tumor, and measure the patency of the blood. In addition, fine needle puncture can also be guided by ultrasound.

4. Cytological examination

Thyroid nodules are relatively common, and it is impossible to perform surgical exploration on all of them. Currently, needle aspiration biopsy cytology is commonly used at home and abroad. This method is simple to operate, has no complications such as bleeding and recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, and has no risk of cancer cell spread and implantation. The accuracy of puncture smear in diagnosing papillary adenocarcinoma is very high, and medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma also have typical cytological images, but it is difficult to diagnose follicular thyroid cancer.

5. X-ray examination

It is mainly used to observe the relationship between the trachea and the thyroid gland. Benign tumors often metastasize to the trachea and generally do not cause tracheal stenosis. In the late stage of thyroid cancer, it can often infiltrate the tracheal wall, causing tracheal stenosis, while the degree of displacement is relatively mild. This type of tracheal stenosis is often in the left and right diameters, while the anterior-posterior diameter can be normal. This feature is of great clinical significance. If the tracheal stenosis is in the anterior-posterior diameter, it is mostly not caused by thyroid cancer, and thymic cancer or other soft tissue malignancies should be considered.

Through the above introduction to the examination methods of thyroid cancer, do you have some understanding of the examination methods of thyroid cancer? I hope that patients can choose a regular oncology hospital and actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment, maintain a good attitude, have confidence in themselves, and family members should pay more attention to the patients. I believe that the patients' condition will improve.