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Medullary carcinoma of thyroid

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Thyroid - medullary carcinoma; Cancer - thyroid (medullary carcinoma); MTC

Symptoms:

• Lump on thyroid gland
• Breathing problems due to narrowing of airways
• Goiter
• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Cough with blood

Signs and tests:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Lymph nodes in the neck may be swollen. Thyroid function tests are usually normal. However, an examination of the thyroid may reveal single or multiple nodules .

Other tests that may be used to diagnose medullary carcinoma of the thyroid include:

• Thyroid biopsy
• Ultrasound of the thyroid
• Thyroid scan
• Calcitonin blood test

• Review Date: 10/31/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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