Physical exam for thyroid cancer
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Physical exam for thyroid cancer
If your doctor suspects thyroid cancer, he or she will:
- Check your neck and throat, looking and feeling for any lumps or nodules. You will be asked to swallow or may be given water to drink during the exam. Your doctor will try to determine:
- The size and consistency of the nodule.
- Whether the nodule is tender.
- Whether the nodule is free-floating or attached to other tissues or structures in the neck.
- Feel the lymph nodes in your neck to determine whether they are bigger than normal.
- Assess your voice for hoarseness. Hoarseness may occur when a large thyroid nodule presses on the nerve that controls the vocal cords.
- Check your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Record your weight.
Credits
| 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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