Thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid carcinomas are malignant neoplasias of the epithelium of the thyroid gland. They are a disease group classified by their histology and their tissue of origin into papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic carcinomas.

In addition to childhood radiation, an iodine deficiency and the associated increase in TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) promote the development of a carcinoma. A portion of medullary and papillary thyroid carcinomas may also be traced to hereditary mutations.

Knots in the thyroid glands are among the most striking symptoms of the patient. The increasing size of the nodules and the resulting pressure on other organs can also lead to further symptoms. These include dysphagy, dyspnoea, hoarseness, cough, or upper-flow congestion. Rarely, such symptoms as malnutrition, fatigue, weight loss and diarrhea occur.