Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
Radionuclide Scan
A radionuclide scan, also known as the diagnostic I-131 whole body scan, is used to determine whether
thyroid cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Specific Thyroid Cancer Stages
Staging for each type of thyroid cancer is slightly different.
Papillary and Follicular Thyroid Cancer Stages
The following thyroid cancer stages are used for cases of papillary and follicular thyroid cancer:
- Stage I
- Stage II
- Stage III
- Stage IV (divided into substages IVA, IVB, and IVC).
Stage I Papillary or Follicular Thyroid Cancer
In stage I papillary or follicular cancer:
- Patients are younger than 45 years of age
- Cancer may have spread within the neck or upper chest, to nearby lymph nodes, or both
- Cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.
In patients who are older than 45 years of age, stage I papillary or follicular cancer is used to refer to tumors 2 centimeters or smaller that are only in the thyroid.
Stage II Papillary or Follicular Thyroid Cancer
In stage II papillary or follicular cancer:
- Patients are younger than 45 years of age
- Cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs or bone
- Cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
In patients who are older than 45 years of age, stage II papillary or follicular cancer describes cases of the disease in which the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters and which are only in the thyroid.
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