Thyroid exams: ultrasound, scintigraphy and biopsy

Thyroid cancers: rather rare

Sometimes the thyroid increases in size (it even happens that the increase is so significant that it can be seen from the outside): this is called goiter. Goiter can be homogeneous or carry nodules.

The thyroid nodules are relatively frequent but rarely cancerous (the tumor is benign in 95% of cases).

However, each year 4,000 French people are affected by thyroid cancer.

The different tests to monitor the thyroid

Scintigraphy

This examination requires the injection ofradioactive iodine (a very low dose of radiation is injected which disintegrates in a few hours before being eliminated by the body).

A camera makes it possible to have an image of the thyroid on which any nodules or goiter appear.

We speak of hot nodules when they fix radioactive iodine much more than the surrounding thyroid tissues: these nodules are hardly ever cancerous.

We speak of cold nodules when they fix radioactive iodine poorly: these nodules are likely to develop into cancer (although this is relatively rare).

Thyroid ultrasound

The thyroid can be examined by ultrasound. One gel is deposited on the patient’s neck and then a probe is passed through it which emits and receives ultrasound. This exam is completely painless.

This very sensitive technique allows the size and shape of the gland and nodules to be determined with precision.

Fine needle aspiration

Nowadays, the biopsy is commonly used: it is the first-line examination in patients with thyroid nodules.

A thin needle is inserted through the skin of the neck to draw a small amount of thyroid cells into the syringe. This exam may seem overwhelming, but it is quick and painless.

These cells are examined under a microscope to determine whether the nodules are benign or malignant.