Management and therapy of thyroid carcinoma

Learning Objectives The purpose of this exhibit is to increase the physicians confidence in the management of patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma.

This educational exhibit will review the management of thyroid carcinoma. After a brief review of the subtypes of thyroid carcinoma, a step by step approach to managing the patient from the time of diagnosis with thyroid carcinoma is explained. Imaging and staging of the cancer with I-131, FDG-PET and Octreoscan is reviewed. The role of recombinant TSH is discussed. Cases of concordance and discordance of FDG- PET and I- 131 imaging are presented. We then clarify the roles of surgery, I-131 and radiation therapy in the treatment plan. Sample cases from the University of Southern California will be used to illustrate the management concepts covered in this educational exhibit. The purpose of this exhibit is to increase the physicians confidence in the management of patients diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma.