In a period of controversial attitudes to thyroid cancer, this book aims to correlate recent progress in basic sciences with new clinical management possibilities. It deals with the epidemiology, pathology, pathophysiology, etiology, diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of this disease based on 27 years' experience with some 2000 thyroid cancer cases. The inclusion of ultrasound, CT, NMR imaging and modern surgical techniques for combined treatment modalities is new. Guidelines for further research and improved therapy are set and an extensive review of the literature is provided. This up-to-date survey will offer clinicians, surgeons and researchers a better understanding of thyroid cancer in its entirety.

A General Aspects and Basic Sciences.- and Historical Review.- Epidemiology.- 1 General Aspects.- 2 Correlation of Thyroid Cancer with Endemic Goiter.- 3 Genetic Influences on Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer.- Pathology of Thyroid Cancer.- 1 Conventional Classifications.- 2 Immunohistochemical Findings.- 3 Electron Microscopy.- 4 Correlation of Pathological Findings with Clinical Prognosis.- Pathophysiology of Thyroid Cancer.- 1 Abnormal Thyroid Protein Metabolism in Thyroid Cancer.- 2 TSH, TSH-receptors and cAMP in Thyroid Malignancy.- 3 Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.- Aetiology of Thyroid Cancer.- 1 Iodine Deficiency.- 2 Ionizing Radiation.- 3 Other Environmental Factors.- 4 Genetic Factors.- 5 Immunological Factors.- 6 Conclusions.- References.- B Clinical Picture, Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up.- Clinical Features.- 1 Relevant Symptoms.- 2 Physical Findings.- 3 Diagnostic Methods.- Therapy.- 1 Surgery.- 2 Radiotherapy.- 3 Chemotherapy.- 4 Thyroid Hormone Therapy.- 5 General Therapeutic Strategy.- Follow-up Programs in Thyroid Cancer.- 1 Follow-up after Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.- 2 Follow-up of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer.- 3 Follow-up of Medullary Carcinoma.- 4 Follow-up of Malignant Lymphoma of the Thyroid.- Conclusions.- References.- Subject-Index.