Editing Patient Pathways: Thyroid Cancer (section)

== 1. Diagnostics ==

The patient presents with symptoms such as a lump in the neck, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, or shortness of breath.

'''Consultation with a general practitioner (GP):''' The patient visits a general practitioner.

'''Medical history and physical examination:''' Detailed patient history, neck palpation.

'''Initial tests:''' Blood tests to assess thyroid function (TSH, T3, T4).

'''Referral to a specialist''' Referral to an endocrinologist or head and neck specialist for further evaluation.

'''Diagnostic evaluation'''

'''Thyroid ultrasound:''' Visualization of nodules and assessment of their characteristics.

'''Fine needle aspiration (FNA):''' Taking a tissue sample from the nodule for cytological examination.

'''Cytology:''' Pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

'''CT or MRI:''' To assess extracapsular invasion and metastases.

'''Thyroid scintigraphy:''' For functional assessment of the nodule.

'''PET scan:''' In case of suspected distant metastases.

'''Laboratory tests:''' Blood tests for tumor markers (e.g. calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen for medullary carcinoma).

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