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.

Population

Only those with thyroid nodules and/or thyroid cancer will be allowed to enroll.

Brief Title

Studies on Tumors of the Thyroid

Official Title

Studies on Thyroid Nodules and Thyroid Cancer

Brief Summary

Participants in this study will be patients diagnosed with or suspected to have a thyroid <br /> nodule or thyroid cancer. <br /> <br /> The main purpose of this study is to further understand the methods for the diagnosis and <br /> treatment of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Many of the test performed are in the <br /> context of standard medical care that is offered to all patients with thyroid nodules or <br /> thyroid cancer. Other tests are performed for research purposes. In addition, blood and <br /> tissue samples will be taken for research and genetic studies.

Detailed Description

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.

Outcome Measures

Outcome measures are the tests that investigators perform to prove whether or not a treatment being tested in a clinical trial is having any effect.