5th April 2024

A 38-year-old physical education teacher presents to an endocrinology clinic after noticing a lump

A 38-year-old physical education teacher presents to an endocrinology clinic after noticing a lump at the bottom of his neck just below his Adam’s apple. He says the lump has been there for around one month in total and has grown a little in that time. He became concerned as his maternal aunt died of thyroid cancer and was worried that could be the cause of his lump. On further questioning, he admits to episodes of palpitations and severe headaches that come on several times a week without any obvious triggers. He had previously put these symptoms down to stress at work. An ECG shows sinus tachycardia at a rate of 101bpm and his blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg.

What is the most likely underlying cause of this patient’s presentation?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.