Thyroid Cancer Screening and Prevention

While most thyroid gland nodules are non-cancerous, others are not and those may spread into nearby tissues and other parts of the body. Importance of Thyroid Cancer Screening Patients with a family history of thyroid cancer are encouraged to get screened. Even if a person has a risk factor for thyroid cancer, it is very hard to know how much it may contribute to the cancer. Risk factors that are more likely to lead to thyroid cancer include: Gender and age, especially women age 40 to 60 and men age 60 to 80 Hereditary conditions Family history Exposure to radiation as a child, such as X-rays Being overweight or obese A diet high in iodine The thyroid gland has 2 main types of cells: Follicular cells which regulate a person’s metabolism and C cells (also called parafollicular cells) which control how the body uses calcium. Other, less common cells include immune system cells and supportive cells. Many types of growths and tumors (called nodules) can develop in the thyroid gland. While most are non-cancerous, others are not and those may spread into nearby tissues and other parts of the body. The differences are important because they affect how serious the cancer is and what type of treatment will be needed.   What to Expect Our coordinated center in Fairfax offers disease expertise on cancer and prevention as we work through your health risk assessment. We will create a customized plan based on your risk level to incorporate screenings, education, prevention and overall wellness. We offer the latest technology for our screenings and procedures to make sure you are taken care of on every level. If your provider determines you need a nodule evaluated, you will be scheduled for a diagnostic ultrasound called a fine needle aspiration (FNA). This outpatient procedure uses a very fine needle that collects a sample to help rule out cancer. FNA diagnostic results will be returned within one hour. If a biopsy is required, pathology and radiology experts will walk you through the process. The appointment lasts one hour, while the actual procedure takes no longer than 15 minutes. This includes acquisition of tissue specimens and the preliminary review by the onsite pathologist. Other thyroid cancer treatments include: Surgery Radioactive Iodine (Radioiodine) Therapy Thyroid Hormone Therapy External Beam Radiation Therapy Chemotherapy Targeted Drug Therapy   Possible Outcomes Most people do well after treatment, but follow-up care is important since most thyroid cancers grow slowly and can recur even 10 to 20 years after initial treatment. Your provider will explain what tests you need and how often they should be done. Your schedule of visits, exams, and tests will depend on the original extent of your cancer, the specific type of thyroid cancer you had, how it was treated, and other factors. Your blood will also be tested regularly for TSH and thyroglobulin levels. If your thyroglobulin level begins to rise, further testing will be done. This usually includes a radioactive iodine scan, PET scans, and other imaging tests. For those with a low-risk, small papillary cancer that was treated by removing only one lobe of the thyroid, routine physical exams by your doctor, thyroid ultrasounds and thyroid blood tests are typical. Genetic Screening If you have a family history of cancer, there is a likelihood you may be genetically predisposed. Our specialists will explain the complex medical information and implications of genetic testing to you.