Glossary

CT         

computed tomography

A type of scan that creates a 3-D x-ray image. Thyroid cancer patients usually undergo this scan without the use of injected contrast (if possible) as the contrast media contains iodine.  The contrast iodine may interfere with RAI treatment if subsequently required in the immediate months following.

Cytomel

T3 hormone taken in pill form.

DX        

diagnosis

The decision reached from an examination of the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition.

EBR                     

external beam radiation

A type of treatment that administers a beam of radiation to a section of the body. EBR treatment is an option to treat advanced thyroid cancer.

endo     

endocrinologist

A doctor who specializes in the endocrine system of the body. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system.

FNA                                    

fine needle aspiration

A type of biopsy (test for cancer) whereby a very thin needle is inserted into the nodule or tissue so that a sampling of cells can be withdrawn and examined by a cytologist (cell specialist) to determine if they are benign (normal) or cancerous. Also known as FNAB (Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy).

HON

Health on the Net

The Health On the Net Foundation (HON) promotes and guides the deployment of useful and reliable online health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Members (such as TCC) must adhere to their guidelines and ethical standards.

MRI                     

magnetic resonance imaging

A scan using magnetic waves in order to create a 3-D image

PET                                     

positron emission tomography

A scan using injected glucose (a type of sugar).  As ‘active’ cancer cells make use of sugar, advanced thyroid cancer may be imaged using a PET scan.  This scan is often combined with a CT scan (to overlay the images). PET scans are usually reserved for those with a Tg of more than 10 µg/L.

PT         

partial thyroidectomy

Part of the thyroid gland is removed. Also known as a hemi-thyroidectomy.

RAI       

radioactive iodine

A liquid or pill containing radioactive iodine used to ablate (destroy) thyroid cells. Also when given in small amounts, it may used to allow for a Whole Body Scan (a scan without treatment).

Synthroid and Eltroxin

Levothyroxine

The pill forms of T4, a hormone normally produced by the thyroid gland.

T3

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland, and/or converted from T4, and/or taken in pill form (Cytomel).

T4

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland, or taken in pill form (Synthroid or Eltroxin)

Thyrogen                             

recombinant human TSH (rhTSH)

A medication taken by injection (2 shots, 24 hours apart) to prepare for RAI treatment or scan. Also used to raise the TSH level for ‘stimulated Tg’ measurement.

thyca    

thyroid cancer

Tg                                        

thyroglobulin

A protein produced by normal and differentiated thyroid cells, measured by a blood test.  The Tg acts as a ‘cancer marker’ for thyroid cancer patients. As thyca patients normally have total removal of their thyroid glands, it is expected and desirable to have very low Tg level.

TCC      

Thyroid Cancer Canada

TSH

thyroid stimulating hormone

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that ‘calls for’ T4 and T3 (hormones produced by the thyroid gland).

Thry’vors

patient members of TCC

TT         

total thyroidectomy

Also referred to as a ‘near total thyroidectomy’ (NTT).

TX         

treatment

U/S        

ultrasound

Also known as a sonogram

WBS

whole body scan (I-131 scan)

A scan which identifies thyroid remnant tissue and/or metastases of thyroid cancer following a treatment or scanning dose of RAI. Also known as a I-131 scan because the medial isotope is identified as 131.