title: Thyroid cancer: a review.
abstract: Thyroid cancer is a rare and complex disease. The thyroid contains various cell types from which distinct diseases arise. These malignancies range from indolent to extremely aggressive. Diagnosis includes attention to risk factors, family history, and subjective reports. The most valuable tool for diagnosis is the fine-needle aspiration. Primary treatment is surgery with postoperative hormone therapy. Radiation and chemotherapy serve palliative and adjuvant roles in advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease. Nurses make a significant contribution to patient understanding and successful treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, National Naval Medical Center (NNMC), Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes