Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma is also called PTC. It is a kind of tumor (abnormal growth) found in your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in the front area of your neck. The tumor grows from the follicular cells of your thyroid gland. These cells make thyroid hormones (special chemicals) that control how your body uses energy. When the cells grow and split without control or order, they often make too much tissue (tumor). You may be able to feel the tumor with your fingers and it may grow. The tumor may also be painless and you may not know it is there.
  
  
• The cause of PTC may be inherited, or the cause may be unknown. You may have neck lumps, shortness of breath, bone pain, or trouble swallowing. Blood tests, genetic screening, biopsy, and imaging tests may be done to check for PTC. Imaging tests include computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan, thyroid scan, and ultrasound. You may be treated with surgery, medicines, and radiation therapy. With treatment, your symptoms may be relieved and your PTC may be cured.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

Follow-up visit information: You will need to have blood and imaging tests done after surgery. Blood tests are done to measure the amount of hormones and other chemicals in your blood. Imaging tests may help your caregiver check if your tumor has returned. Ask your caregiver when to come back and how often you need blood and imaging tests done. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Radiation therapy: This may include external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses x-rays or gamma rays to control bleeding, and shrink your tumor. It keeps cancer cells from splitting into new cells, which is one way cancer spreads. Lymph nodes with cancer are also treated with radiation. It may be given after surgery to kill the cancer cells that were not removed. Ask your caregiver for more information about external beam radiation therapy.

Thyroid remnant ablation: This procedure uses radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid tissues left in your neck. Ask your caregiver for information on this procedure.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have a hoarse voice.
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have new lumps on your neck.
  
  
• You have trouble swallowing.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You suddenly have trouble breathing.
  
  
• Your symptoms get worse or do not go away after taking medicine.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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