In a thyroid scan, the person will either swallow or be injected with a very small amount of radioactive material. A special camera will measure how much radiation is in the thyroid. The scan may show areas within the thyroid without radiation uptake. These are called "cold spots" and can represent thyroid cancer. A biopsy of these is needed because many cold areas are not cancerous. Scans are most helpful after a diagnosis of cancer is made, and can help tell doctors if the cancer has spread to places outside the thyroid gland. Blood tests, including the thyroglobulin test, is also usually done to detect thyroid cancer.
No items
DNA & Genetics
DNA & Paternity
