THYROID-CANCER COMPLICATING PREGNANCY

Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer are more common in females than mal es. Because differentiated thyroid cancers mostly affect women during the childbearing years, the occurrence of thyroid cancer during pregna ncy is not uncommon. Fine-needle aspiration is the diagnostic method o f choice and is safe during pregnancy. Cancer discovered early in preg nancy can be safely operated on in the second trimester. Those cancers found in the second trimester can have treatment delayed until after delivery. The prognosis in differentiated thyroid cancers is excellent in this age group.