Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. The most common cancers that spread to bone are breast, prostate, and lung. Back pain is the most common symptom of both benign and malignant spinal tumors. } information submitted for this request. Uncommon symptoms of thyroid cancer include: Pain in the front of the neck where the thyroid gland is located may move or radiate up to the jaw or ears. Signs may include: Your medical history will help your doctor find the cause of your pain. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions or even other cancers of the neck area. You might also need thyroid hormone replacement after having surgery to remove part of the thyroid, but not everyone does. Yes, a thyroid nodule can cause a feeling like something is stuck in your throat, such as a piece of food. The results aren't always clear. Hypothyroidism: Should I take iodine supplements? If the tailbone is sore and inflamed, overactivity of the pelvic floor and hip-opening muscles can worsen pain symptoms. Palliative care. When cancer cells spread to the bones (bone metastases), they can cause many problems such as pain, broken bones, or more serious events. There are a number of cancers that occur in the tailbone also called the coccyx which is a bony triangular structure located at the bottom of the spine below the sacrum. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Head Neck Oncol. Swelling of the small joints in the hands and feet. Tailbone pain can usually be treated at home. Cancer of the endocrine system. Patients complain of pain and doctors find that part of the jawbone has died. The pain typically lasts for weeks to months and can become debilitating. The next step after thyroid cancer is diagnosed is to obtain a comprehensive, high-resolution ultrasound. And there's no side effects when you're on the right dose. The cervical spine is intertwined with not just nerves but also blood vessels. 2012;87(2):187193. Shmerling RH. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which This is an abnormal curve in the spine. If joint pain, stiffness and swelling don't improve after treatment with an appropriate dosage of thyroid medicine, contact your health care provider. Mayo Clinic; 2018. Causes of Buttock Pain and Treatment Options, Lower Right Back Pain: Causes and Treatment, Causes of Neck Pain and Treatment Options, Causes of Foot Pain and Treatment Options, Why Do My Ribs Hurt? Some causes of pain can be treated with physical therapy. Doing these things over and over puts an ongoing strain on your muscles, ligaments, and spine, which leads to pain. Have you ever been exposed to fallout from a nuclear accident? Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away. A Mayo Clinic expert explains, What you should know about thyroid cancer in adolescents, young adults, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition. Any cells that take up the iodine are shown on the radioactive iodine scan images. A Beginners Guide, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Central Cord Syndrome: Causes and How to Treat It, Decompression Therapy: What You Should Know About This Technique, What Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Is and How It Works, Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. You may also get tailbone pain after sitting on a hard surface for a long period of time. However, a nodule that is large and hard or causes pain or discomfort is more worrisome. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2016 Dec 3;388(10061):2783-2795. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30172-6, Tsuda K, Tsurushima H, Takano S, Tsuboi K,Matsumuba A. Some of these treatments come in pill form and some are given through a vein. You may develop this pain after direct trauma or spontaneously without a specific inciting factor. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Vertebral tumor. It can also happen when youre driving or if on a heavily cushioned surface if youre in awkward position. Mayo Clin Proc. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Most people start to feel recovered in 10 to 14 days. Research is ongoing in the prevention and treatment of bone metastases. Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers, Cholesterol-lowering supplements may be helpful. December 2005 edited March 2014 #1. Some people with colon cancer feel pain in their tailbone. 2013;185(5):417. doi:10.1503/cmaj.101613, Wilking AN. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Moutvic M. (2018). Taking a hot bath to relax muscles and ease pain. The collarbone, also known as the clavicle, extends from the shoulder to the breastbone. What are Symptoms of hyperthyroidism tailbone pain? Using a wedge-shaped gel cushion or coccygeal cushion (a "donut" pillow) when sitting. Lying on your side takes pressure off of the tailbone. Tailbone Pain | Texas Children's Hospital Thyroid cancer. It's effective. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Differentiated thyroid cancer types, including papillary, follicular and Hurthle cell, are more likely to respond. The jawbone can also become infected. Changes in other genes have also been found. A lower number usually means the cancer is likely to respond to treatment, and it often means the cancer only involves the thyroid. When it does occur, signs and symptoms of bone metastasis include: Bone pain. High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and confusion. on February 20, 2019. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help. This is also rare. Cerebellar mass as a primary presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma: case report and literature review. If this test shows that you have an increased risk, you can have your thyroid gland removed to reduce your risk for thyroid cancer later in life. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It may also happen because of a sudden injury or repetitive stress. Most pilonidal cysts, or abnormal pockets of hair and tissue debris in your skin, develop near your tailbone. Other drugs target specific gene changes. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Lirette LS, Chaiban G, Tolba R, Eissa H. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Stretching is recommended. 2017;2(4):184193. Tailbone pain: How can I relieve it? - Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic; 2021. Often, treatment of your primary cancer is the best treatment for bone metastasis. Postgrad Med. Thyroid cancer. Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your pain based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical exam. This can cause inflammation or strain of the structures around your tailbone. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Accessed Jan. 21, 2022. Increasingly, palliative care is being offered early in the course of cancer treatment. Which operation your health care team might recommend depends on your type of thyroid cancer, the size of the cancer and whether the cancer has spread beyond the thyroid to the lymph nodes. Surgery. I have other health problems. Spinal tumors can sometimes run in families, so scientists think theres likely a genetic component. This is also rare. Chordoma can happen anywhere along the spine. If you have prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend: A vertebral tumor is a tumor in your spine that affects your bones or vertebrae. For some people, it's a faint, throbbing pain. Recommended Reading: Does Selenium Help Thyroid Eye Disease. You should be able to return to normal daily activities over time as you heal. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. Medication: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy treat the primary cancer and can go through the body to kill cancer cells, including bone met cells. But past radiation treatment of your head, neck, or chest can put you at risk of getting thyroid cancer. All rights reserved. If you're taking thyroid hormone replacement, and you still have joint and muscle pain, your medicine dosage may need to be changed. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Talk to your doctor if it doesnt get better. Ochsner J. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. Thyroid Cancer Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy of the Thyroid, Brain metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinomas, Cerebellar mass as a primary presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma: case report and literature review, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Systemic treatments are: Local therapies target only the bone met and not the whole body: More information about the treatment of bone mets can be found in Bone Metastases Treatment. Pain from spinal tumors in your middle or lower back is more common, as tumors are more likely to develop in those regions of your spine. Rarity: Common. It may also find alignment problems, dislocations, or fractures. Should I see a doctor who specializes in thyroid diseases? https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. A physical therapist can offer exercises that can help you recover from your specific injury. The alcohol causes the thyroid cancer cells to shrink. The pain in the coccyx is mostly associated with an injury to the coccyx itself or the surrounding muscles and tissues. This makes it the thirteenth most common cancer. For support in managing these changes, see the topic Getting Support When You Have Cancer. For thyroid cancer, some basic questions to ask include: If any additional questions occur to you during your visit, don't hesitate to ask. Everything you need to know about coccydynia. In some cases, the pain may be the result of sitting posture changes brought on by obesity or aging. If there's a high likelihood that a nodule might be cancerous, additional tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine what type of thyroid cancer is present. Tailbone pain can vary from person to person. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. Tailbone pain could also be caused by an injury to these muscles and ligaments. These systems carry fluids around your body, so they can carry cancer cells from one area of your body to another. Heat and cold. This is a degenerative disease that can affect any joint in the body. However, tailbone pain may often have a benign, less concerning origin. But the type of cancer is based . Thyroid Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Verywell Health If there is any distant spread with thyroid cancer, the most common organs are the lungs and bones. Your time with your provider is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. How Are the Causes of Tailbone Pain Diagnosed? Differentiated thyroid cancer (adult). Scientists are using brachyury to develop immunotherapy for chordoma. Tailbone injuries typically have classic symptoms. What is thyroid cancer? There are a few possible causes of tailbone pain. As an alternative to surgery or other treatments, you might consider active surveillance with frequent monitoring of the cancer. Your health care provider might recommend blood tests and an ultrasound exam of your neck once or twice a year. There are many different targeted therapy drugs for thyroid cancer. Pelvic floor muscles help support many of your body's internal organs. pain that worsens when sitting and when standing up from a sitting position . Asian Spine J. After the whole thyroid is removed, your body will no longer produce the hormones that maintain your metabolism, and you will be prescribed a hormone tablet. Tailbone pain is usually caused by some kind of trauma, but sometimes it can have other causes like an infection. Any suggestions to help? Dont Miss: Stage 2 Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. If your pain is caused by the ganglion impar, a nerve block may help. at [email protected]. 2016; doi:10.1056/NEJMp1604412. Tendons connect muscle to bone. Some target the blood vessels that cancer cells make to bring nutrients that help the cells survive. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1454. Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you. doi:10.4184/asj.2014.8.6.705. Applying heat to a bruised tailbone can help relax muscles, which can improve pain. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Targeted drug treatments focus on specific chemicals present within cancer cells. Tailbone pain, or coccydynia, can be a dull ache or a sharp pain at the bottom of your spine. Causes of Tailbone Pain and Treatment Options. American Cancer Society. Canker Sores: Festering words held back by the lips. Tailbone pain tends to occur when sitting, standing for long periods, and rising from a seated position. By blocking these chemicals, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die. Thyroid cancer can cause any of the following signs or symptoms: A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly. He was a physician in the US Air Force and now practices at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is an associate professor. What are the benefits and risks of each treatment option? Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Bone spurs, nerve pain, and problems with the muscles of the pelvic floor can also cause tailbone pain. Primary bone tumors may also occur on the tailbone or in the tailbone area. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The importance of surgeon experience for clinical and economic outcomes from thyroidectomy. doi:10.7150/jbji.21692. Papillary: Up to 80% of all thyroid cancers are papillary. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Scientists arent sure of the cause of most primary spinal tumors. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). When cancer cells do this, it's called metastasis. A Mayo Clinic expert explains. 6 Tailbone stretches for pain and soreness relief - Medical News Today Loscalzo J, et al., eds. Asian Spine J. Thyroid hormone therapy is a treatment to replace or supplement the hormones produced in the thyroid. The tailbone consists of three to five small bones called coccygeal vertebral bones. Mayo Clinic; 2018. Coccyx pain is usually worse when sitting or when standing up from sitting. Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Causes of Rib Cage Pain, Achilles Tendon Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments, Causes of Heel Pain and Treatment Options, Persistent coccydynia--the importance of a differential diagnosis, Orthopaedic injuries in equestrian sports: a current concepts review, Ganglion impar block in patients with chronic coccydynia, Recognition and management of nonrelaxing pelvic floor dysfunction, Lumbar disc degenerative disease: disc degeneration symptoms and magnetic resonance image findings. Thyroid cancer - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic .st1 { Your health care team uses information from your tests and procedures to determine the extent of the cancer and assign it a stage. Tests might measure: These blood tests are also used to look for signs of cancer recurrence. enable-background: new; clip-path: url(#SVGID_4_); Joint pain and stiffness. Urinary incontinence. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You can also try heat, massage, over-the-counter pain relievers, and sitting on a doughnut-shaped cushion. Has the cancer spread outside of the thyroid gland? Avoid constipation: Constipation can make tailbone pain worse. What is Hypothyroidism |Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment| Physiotherapy for Hypothyroidism, under the jaw and on either side of the neck, Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Normal Range. Wang TS, et al. Various muscles, tendons, and ligaments attach to the tailbone. This means the pain feels like it is coming from your tailbone when it's really coming from another part of your body. Review/update the Thyroglobulin a protein made by healthy thyroid cells and differentiated thyroid cancer cells, Calcitonin a hormone made by medullary thyroid cancer cells, Carcinoembryonic antigen a chemical produced by medullary thyroid cancer cells. Although any type of cancer can spread to the spine, the most likely are: The symptoms of a vertebral tumor on the tailbone are basically the same as for chordoma. This can help reduce pain. When removing the chordoma, the surgeon must also remove some of the normal tissue surrounding it. Also, avoid sitting exercises like biking or rowing that put pressure on the area. Alcohol ablation may be an option to treat small areas of thyroid cancer, such as cancer that's found in a lymph node after surgery. Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? Joint pain and stiffness, particularly in the hands and knees in adults. Mayo Clinic. Certain factors increase your risk of thyroid cancer, such as a family history of thyroid or other endocrine cancers and having a . Tailbone cancer could be cancer thats spread from cancer elsewhere in your body, such as your lungs. Should I look out for signs of complications? Pelvic floor muscle spasms: The tailbone is where a deep layer of pelvic floor muscles attach. Mayo Clinic; 2018. During your exam your doctor will look for: Your doctor may also press on your tailbone. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. My Dad has terrible burns from radiation. Many conditions are best treated when caught early. Here are some self-care strategies you can do at home. Talk to your doctor about managing your weight. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. This test is most helpful for papillary and follicular thyroid cancers. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Lifestyle changes can help most causes of tailbone pain. Examples include: Proctalgia fugax: This is a severe but fleeting episode of rectal pain. Medullary thyroid cancer originates from these "C" cells, unlike the other types of thyroid cancer which originate from thyroid follicular cells (the cells that make thyroid hormone). Healthy thyroid cells absorb and use iodine from the blood. Accessed Dec. 14, 2022. To create an image of the thyroid, the ultrasound transducer is placed on your lower neck. The injury may cause a bruise or a fracture of the bones. Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer tips from a dermatologist. National Cancer Institute.Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Tailbone pain usually heals on its own. Thyroid surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection. Metastases most commonly develop when cancer cells break away from the main tumor and enter your bloodstream or lymphatic system. AskMayoExpert. Nerve pain: The ganglion impar is a bundle of nerves. During a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, your provider inserts a long, thin needle through your skin and into the thyroid nodule. 2014;14(1):8487. Broken bones. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Yes, but contact sports that could re-injure the tailbone should be avoided. The basic TSH might reveal you are hyperthyroid or hypothyroid or borderline. Pope TL, et al, eds. We know that many people with chordoma have a small change in a protein called brachyury, made by the TBXT gene. Pain during bowel movements and pain during sex are also common. Hypothyroidism and infertility: Any connection? Rarely, tailbone pain may be caused by an infection or cancer. Summary. Ligaments connect bone to bone. Operations used to treat thyroid cancer include: To access the thyroid, surgeons usually make a cut (incision) in the lower part of the neck. These 10 quadratus lumborum stretches will help to stabilize your spine and support you lower back for increased strength and mobility. Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. You have a lump or mass on your tailbone. Feb. 26, 2022. Will I be able to work and do my usual activities during thyroid cancer treatment? Not always. Your provider may recommend another biopsy procedure or an operation to remove the thyroid nodule for testing. Differentiated thyroid cancer types, including papillary, follicular, Hurthle cell and poorly differentiated, share a set of stages. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Sometimes, though, the tailbone can fracture. Ligaments and muscles around the coccyx can get stretched and strained during delivery and cause pain. The surgery is not commonly done, but it can be efficiently performed by experienced orthopedic or spinal surgeons. See a doctor if your pain is severe and does not go away after self-care. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Signs that a thyroid nodule is more likely to be cancerous include calcium deposits (microcalcifications) within the nodule and an irregular border around the nodule. This content does not have an English version. Aggressive thyroid cancers that grow more quickly may require additional treatment options to control the disease. The use of forceps can also contribute to this kind of pain. It can be used to: Replace thyroid hormones after surgery. That can lead to tailbone pain. Provide attachment to several muscles and ligaments in your pelvic region, Facilitate natural childbirth by moving backward, A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly, Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears, Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away, A constant cough that is not due to a cold, Applying heat and ice therapy to the painful area, Considering over-the-counter topical and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Taking OTC stool softeners to reduce the pressure on the coccyx during a bowel movement, Modifying activities to include less sitting. Experts estimate that this occurs in 0.1 to 5% of all cases of papillary thyroid cancer (the most common type of thyroid cancer). Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. AskMayoExpert. The bones of the tailbone can be injured directly, such as in a fall. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Hello, I recieved radiation to treat rectal tumor last summer and then had rectum/colon resected in September. 1 The medical term for your tailbone is the coccyx. Use protective gear when you play sports. Bisphosphonates can help make diseased bone stronger and prevent fractures. Is persistent at night, sometimes to the point of disrupting sleep. When palliative care is used along with all of the other appropriate treatments, people with cancer may feel better, have a better quality of life and live longer. 1998; doi:10.1097/00000658-199809000-00005. AskMayoExpert. Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap, Depression: Provide support, encouragement, Depression: Supporting a family member or friend, HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol. In: DeVita VT, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg SA, eds. Orthopaedic injuries in equestrian sports: a current concepts review. 21st ed. If you look closely at the diagram above you will also notice the carotid arteries which branch off from the aorta a short distance from the heart. Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. While the majority of these small nodules end up not being cancer, determining which ones are is keythis is because most thyroid cancers are curable, especially those that are small and have not spread. Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. The primary functions of the tailbone are to: The coccyx is well innervated and can become a significant source of pain if injured. with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. Endocrinologist Mabel Ryder, M.D., answers the most frequently asked questions about thyroid cancer. By Elizabeth Quinn . Choosing a Mattress When You Have Back Pain. Your healthcare provider can discuss the best treatment option for the type of thyroid cancer you have. Lirette LS, Chaiban G, Tolba R, Eissa H. Coccydynia: an overview of the anatomy, etiology, and treatment of coccyx pain. Hypothyroid patients come in droves to Hypothyroid Mom complaining about all sorts of head and brain-related symptoms, everything from brain fog, attention deficit, memory problems, headache, vertigo, mental health issues, hair loss, and eye and ear problemstoo. Indian J Radiol Imaging. Depending on the location and type of the spinal tumor, other signs and symptoms in addition to pain can develop. Everyone eventually finds their own way of coping. You will also It can be caused by pudendal nerve compression. You can manage your tailbone pain at home by: If your tailbone pain does not reduce with these measures, consult a doctor for a more accurate diagnostic checkup and medical treatment. Orthop J Sports Med. Clinical trials, physical therapy, and pain management may also be used to manage bone mets. Signs that youve injured your tailbone include: If you are having any of these symptoms, especially weakness, numbness, tingling, or bladder or bowel problems, see a doctor right away. Most people diagnosed with thyroid cancer have an excellent prognosis, as most thyroid cancers can be cured with treatment. Many patients are concerned about their quality of life and function after removing the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism: Can calcium supplements interfere with treatment? Hypothyroidism. They may suggest: If you have hemorrhoids, the tissue that cushions and protects your anal opening gets inflamed and muscles pull on your coccyx. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your thyroid cancer-related health concerns. Treatment with one of these drugs can help prevent further bone damage and events related to weakened bones such as fractures, hypercalcemia, and spinal cord compression. This is especially true if the delivery is difficult. (2018). Subacute Thyroiditis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments - Healthline An endocrinologist may take another look at the thyroid nodule with ultrasound in his or her office and perform a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy to see whether cancer cells are present. Is there a risk of rhabdomyolysis from statins? Thyroid nodules that the patient can see, or somebody else can see should almost always be examined by an ultrasound test. All rights reserved. AskMayoExpert. Vaccarella S, et al. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Tall cell papillary thyroid cancer: What treatments did you have? Your provider may also use ultrasound to create images of the lymph nodes in the neck (lymph node mapping) to look for signs of cancer. Tailbone pain from childbirth is often caused by bone bruise or ligament strain. Our institutes Cancer Digestive Health Heart & Vascular Neurosciences Orthopedics Spine Women's Health Other Programs & Services Specialties & Services. Cancer in these areas is called colorectal cancer. You may recover faster and it is often successful with results similar to more invasive back. These cancers are often discovered incidentally by a primary care or family healthcare provider during a routine neck examination or by an imaging test performed for other purposes (for example, a CT scan of the neck or a carotid ultrasound).