Conclusively diagnosing Januvia thyroid cancer involves a variety of tests and diagnostic procedures. The best way to catch the disease in its early stages is to watch for signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer. If you or someone you love is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should call your healthcare provider right away for additional Januvia thyroid cancer tests and diagnosis procedures.
What tests are used to diagnose Januvia-induced thyroid cancer?
Januvia thyroid cancer tests and diagnosis procedures typically involve a combination of:
Physical exam – The doctor may perform a thorough physical examination to identify neck lumps or enlargement of the neck, as well as feel for the firmness of the thyroid gland.
Biopsy – Performed on thyroid nodules to look for cancerous cells. Biopsies are typically done with a needle in a procedure known as ‘fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA). Some patients will also undergo surgical biopsies, where the nodule or thyroid gland itself is taken out.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test – Blood test designed to analyze thyroid activity and find hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Unfortunately, TSH blood tests cannot diagnose thyroid cancer or identify cancerous cysts.
Calcium tests – If the doctor suspects medullary thyroid cancer, tests may be performed to look for elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream, which is a sign of the disease.
Genetic testing – Used to find the abnormal gene linked to some cases of thyroid cancer.
Imaging tests – A variety of image tests may be ordered to identify thyroid cancer. These tests may include:
- Nuclear scan (aka radioactive iodine uptake (RAI-U) scan) – Looks for nodules that absorb more radioactive iodine (‘hot nodules’) which are more likely to be benign.
- Computed tomography (CT scan) – X-ray test used to asses the thyroid gland’s activity. CT scans can’t identify small nodules, but can be helpful in finding larger thyroid nodules (goiters).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Can help in identifying thyroid gland enlargement, as well as the presence of tumors, tumor size, and location of tumors in other parts of the body.
- Thyroid ultrasound – Can aid in finding out whether a thyroid nodule is a fluid-filled cyst or mass of solid tissue.
Click here to learn more about Januvia thyroid cancer tests and diagnosis procedures from the National Cancer Institute.