Medical history to diagnose thyroid cancer

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Your doctor may ask you the following questions to help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine whether you have thyroid cancer:

What are your symptoms?
When did you first notice your symptoms?
Have you ever been treated for any kind of thyroid problem? If so, what was the problem, and how was it treated?
Have you ever had radiation treatments to your head, neck, or chest?
Have you ever been exposed to large doses of radiation, either through the environment or from medical tests, such as a large number of chest X-rays or CT scans?
Has anyone else in your family ever been treated for thyroid cancer or other problems of the endocrine system?
What prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take? It is a good idea to make a list of all of your medicines, including the dose and frequency, and take it to your appointment.

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Last Updated	September 19, 2007

Last updated:	September 19, 2007
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail

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