Home | Free 30-Day Trial | Tutorial | Help
   Print   Email   Bookmark          More
Medical Disability Advisor  >  Cancer Thyroid Gland  >  Failure To Recover

Cancer, Thyroid Gland

Related Terms

  • Anaplastic Carcinoma
  • Cancer of the Thyroid
  • Follicular Carcinoma
  • Malignant Lymphoma of the Thyroid
  • Medullary Carcinoma
  • Papillary Carcinoma
  • Thyroid Cancer

Differential Diagnoses

Specialists

  • Endocrinologist
  • General Surgeon
  • Oncologist
  • Otolaryngologist
  • Radiology Oncologist

Sign-in as a subscriber or take a free trial to see the renowned Reed Group physiological recovery durations in place of this advertising.

Factors Influencing Duration

The age of the individual with thyroid cancer may affect disability. Generally, older individuals do not recover from this condition as easily as do younger individuals. The type of thyroid cancer, the stage of the disease, the presence of metastasis of the thyroid tumor, and the method of treatment may also influence the length of disability. If radiation or chemotherapy is used, a longer period of disability may be expected.

Duration Trends from Reference Data

DURATION TRENDS
 ICD-9-CM: 193  
CasesMeanMinMaxNo Lost TimeOver 6 Months
1246451189< 0.1%0.5%
 
  
 
Percentile:5th25thMedian75th95th
Days:10183361120
 
  
 

Differences may exist between the duration tables and the reference graphs. Duration tables provide expected recovery periods based on the type of work performed by the individual. The reference graphs reflect the actual experience of many individuals across the spectrum of physical conditions, in a variety of industries, and with varying levels of case management. Selected graphs combine multiple codes based on similar means and medians.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
193 - Cancer, Thyroid Gland
198.89 - Secondary Malignant Neoplasm of Other Specified Sites; Other Specified Sites, Other

Failure to Recover

If an individual fails to recover within the expected maximum duration period, the reader may wish to consider the following questions to better understand the specifics of an individual's medical case.

Regarding diagnosis:

  • Does individual have a family history of thyroid cancer?
  • Was individual repeatedly exposed to external radiation?
  • Does individual have low intake of dietary iodide, resulting in goiter?
  • Is a single, firm, nontender lump (nodule) present at the base of the neck?
  • Does individual complain of hoarseness, loss of voice, or difficulty swallowing or breathing? Does individual report respiratory difficulties, cough, blood in the sputum (hemoptysis), chest pain, or bone pain, suggesting metastasis?
  • Was the thyroid visualized on a gamma camera after injecting or swallowing a radioisotope? Was ultrasound done?
  • Was a tissue sample (biopsy) from the thyroid obtained to confirm the diagnosis?
  • Was a diagnosis of papillary, follicular, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid carcinoma confirmed?
  • Has the thyroid cancer spread (metastasized) into other organ systems?

Regarding treatment:

  • Was surgery done to remove part or all of the thyroid gland (partial or total thyroidectomy, respectively)?
  • Did the cancer spread to the lymph nodes? If so, were they removed (lymphadenectomy)?
  • Did individual receive radioactive iodine to destroy any residual cancer?
  • Will individual require radiation treatments at 1 to 5 year intervals?
  • Does individual require lifetime thyroid hormone (thyroxin and calcitonin) supplements?
  • Would individual benefit from chemotherapy?

Regarding prognosis:

  • What type of thyroid cancer does individual have?
  • Did treatment begin at an early stage of the cancer?
  • Is this a recurrence?
  • Has the cancer spread (metastasized)?
  • Has individual developed flushing and diarrhea due to high concentrations of secretions, such as serotonin, prostaglandins, calcitonin, histamine, and vasoactive peptide that affect the circulatory system?
  • If individual has anaplastic cancer, what is the expected survival time?

Source: Medical Disability Advisor


Feedback
Send us comments, suggestions, corrections, or anything you would like us to hear. If you are not logged in, you must include your email address, in order for us to respond. We cannot, unfortunately, respond to every comment. If you are seeking medical advice, please contact your physician. Thank you!
Send this comment to:
Sales Customer Support Content Development
 
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the author, editors, and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting or other professional service. If medical, legal, or other expert assistance is required, the service of a competent professional should be sought. We are unable to respond to requests for advice. Any Sales inquiries should include an email address or other means of communication.