In the previous two volumes of this series, we presented classic problems in internal medicine as illustrated by actual cases cared for in our institution. It has been gratifying for us to see the interest that these volumes have generated with students and trainees. We remain committed to the case method of instruction, and believe that there is no better method to learn medicine than to have an individual patient problem as the basis for study of pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis and management. We hope that our readers find this third volume as enjoyable and instructive as the...

This volume outlines patient care from diagnosis through various treatments for thyroid cancer patients. It serves as a state-of-the-art reference for clinicians providing comprehensive information on the scope of this disease, including surgery, nuclear medicine treatments, recurrence and metastases. The reference information is included for both physicians and thyroid cancer patients.

Cancer of the thyroid gland may be a less common condition than carcinoma of the breast, lung, or colon, but it occurs with suf?cient frequency to constitute a major problem that is of concern to general practitioners, physicians, and particularly s- geons.Some idea of the frequency of thyroid carcinoma is given by its incidence in the United States. Every year some 26,000 patients are diagnosed there as suffering from thyroid cancer.Comparable ?gures apply to most countries in Europe although the in- dence does vary somewhat from country to country, perhaps depending on the endo- nous iodine...