“Will a CT scan show thyroid cancer?”
I am a 40 year old female and I will have a thyroid CT scan. Will a CT scan show thyroid cancer?
7 Answers
The short answer is yes.
A CT scan may help locate a mass in the region of the thyroid gland. Be careful if the CT scan has been ordered "with contrast" though, as this may saturate the thyroid gland with iodine, precluding the use of radioactive iodine for diagnostic and/or treatment options for several weeks. MRI or ultrasound guided biopsy of any suspicious lumps may be a better option.
Thank you for your question. What type of CT scan are you scheduled for?
Thyroid cancers are usually picked up and confirmed on an ultrasound of the thyroid with fine needle aspiration of the suspicious nodule. If positive it is followed by Lymph node mapping prior to surgery. Now if there is a high suspicion of metastatic spread to the chest - Yes a CT scan would be helpful for further evaluation. Remember many of these tests are complimentary. I do hope this has helped in some small way. Have a discussion with your PCP/ endocrinologist to help you to choose the correct options for your specific case. Be well and stay safe.
Thyroid cancers are usually picked up and confirmed on an ultrasound of the thyroid with fine needle aspiration of the suspicious nodule. If positive it is followed by Lymph node mapping prior to surgery. Now if there is a high suspicion of metastatic spread to the chest - Yes a CT scan would be helpful for further evaluation. Remember many of these tests are complimentary. I do hope this has helped in some small way. Have a discussion with your PCP/ endocrinologist to help you to choose the correct options for your specific case. Be well and stay safe.
Yes, but US is better.
Dr. Carlos J. Ledezma
Interventional Radiologist
First of all thyroid cancer is rare. Second of all imaging such as US or CT cann show features which will be highly suggestive of malignancy. There are features which "look ugly" such as large mass, invasive that is spreading to other tissues that are signs of invasive cancers but you would still need a biopsy. We want to catch the cancers before they "look ugly." Most thyroid lesions are nodules which are benign.
Yes, but ultrasound is better.
A CT scan may show a thyroid nodule. Nodules are usually better characterized by ultrasound. More importantly, however, CT may show abnormal lymph nodes or lung lesions which may be associated with thyroid cancer.
