Studies on Tumors of the Thyroid
Studies on Tumors of the Thyroid
Participants in this study will be patients diagnosed with or suspected to have a thyroid
 nodule or thyroid cancer.

 The main purpose of this study is to further understand the methods for the diagnosis and
 treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Many of the test performed are in the
 context of standard medical care that is offered to all patients with thyroid nodules or
 thyroid cancer. Other tests are performed for research purposes. In addition, blood and
 tissue samples will be taken for research and genetic studies.
The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge and experience in the diagnosis and therapy of
 thyroid cancer using established best standard of care and new techniques and approaches as
 they are developed. Study subjects will include adults and children with thyroid nodules
 requiring diagnostic imaging and fine needle aspiration biopsy, surgery, radioiodine scanning
 or therapy, appropriate follow up, consisting of tumor markers monitoring and anatomical and
 functional imaging. The limitations and significance of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement
 for diagnosing tumor recurrence will be assessed. The study will permit a continued
 evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio of already established methods of administering
 radioiodine therapy, including the impact of pre-treatment dosimetric calculations,
 individualizing treatment with radioiodine. Under this protocol, samples of benign nodules
 and cancer tissue specimens for research studies will be collected. Data and samples
 collected during routine clinical care will be used to address research questions utilizing a
 number of approaches including microscopy, immunohistochemistry, proteomics and molecular
 analysis. All research studies will relate to the diagnosis, natural history and therapy of
 thyroid tumors, regulation of thyroid function, and the effects of thyroid function on the
 body. Blood and urine specimens will be collected for research studies in both the
 hypothyroid and euthyroid state.
-  INCLUSION CRITERIA:

 In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the
 following criteria:

 1. Male or female, adults or children >= 6 months+.

 2. Patients with known or suspected thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer.

 3. At risk family members of patients who have a genetic susceptibility to developing
 thyroid cancer.

 EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

 An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation
 in this study:

 1. Serious underlying medical conditions that restrict diagnostic testing or therapy such
 as renal failure, congestive cardiac failure or active coexisting non-thyroid carcinoma
 requiring intervention before thyroid cancer is addressed.