Final answer:
Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma is diagnosed through clinical examinations, imaging tests like CT scans and ultrasound, radioactive iodine scans to identify iodine uptake by thyroid cells, and a biopsy to microscopically examine tissue samples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diagnosis of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
To diagnose Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer, several medical diagnostic procedures are performed. Initially, a physician may conduct a clinical examination followed by various imaging tests such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging methods help visualize the thyroid gland and detect any abnormalities.
Furthermore, a specialized scan using radioactive isotopes, especially radioactive iodine, may be employed. Iodine is absorbed by thyroid cells, and cancerous cells will typically concentrate more iodine, thus emitting more radiation which can be detected by the scan.
A definitive diagnosis, however, requires a biopsy. Tissue samples are obtained from the thyroid gland, which are then examined microscopically by a pathologist to identify the presence of cancerous cells. Additionally, immunohistochemistry may be conducted to detect specific cell-surface antigens, assisting in the confirmation of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma.