Imaging in Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is one of the most rapidly increasing malignancies in the Western world. The most common forms of thyroid cancer include papillary, follicular, Hurthle cell, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid cancer. The patterns of spread, imaging characteristics, staging, and treatment of these cancers vary based on subtype and tumor characteristics. Ultrasound imaging, radionuclide/positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging may all be used in the evaluation, staging, and posttherapeutic monitoring of thyroid cancer. Surgical resection and radioiodine ablation therapy are considered the cornerstone treatments for the majority of thyroid cancers. Following treatment, biochemical monitoring, imaging follow-up, and clinical assessment constitute the mainstays of thyroid cancer surveillance.