Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. There are four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. The most common forms (papillary and follicular) are fairly be...
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So I just began to feel like I have finally caught my breath after having my surgery and being told that there was no cancer present and I got the wind knocked out of me again. As a result of no cancer, Doc only took half of my thyroid. I went in today to get my stitches out and Doc said that they finished the dissection of the rest of my thyroid and there was cancer present (Now I am understanding that during the surgery they removed half of my thyroid, sent it to the lab and had them look at the 3cm nodule that was present and must have dissected the remainder after surgery...no cancer in the nodule, but cancer somewhere else). OK, I have 'extremely aggressive' Hoshimoto's, I had a 3cm follicular adenoma, and I had a 2mm spot of papillary cancer. So here is the weird part...Hoshimoto's and thyroid cancer do not occur together...so I guess from what the doc said, I am the exception to the rule. So now he has decided to put me on Synthroid to suppress my thyroid function and reduce the chances of anything else popping up. I am a little confused about the half of my thyroid that remains...how do I know that there is no cancer there or anywhere else in my body right now and in the future? Also, he said that my dosage should be regulated within 12-18 weeks without me feeling any odd symptoms and that only about 3% of people have trouble getting their dosage level right...I have heard a lot of people say that it took a lot longer to get it right and that they experienced all types of side effects...what do you think? Have most of you had trouble with it, or is it just a select few that have trouble with it?
Sorry that this message is a little scattered...I just returned from the Doc's and I'm trying to wrap my brain around everything that he just told me. Posted on 08/22/07, 04:08 pm |
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I'm sorry you have to go through all of this. I'm still new at this site too, so from what I've read, they usually take out the other lobe. I'm not a doctor, but personally, I would want it out.
As far as Hashimoto's and cancer, I've been doing a lot of internet research. After a biopsy done 10-06 I was diagnosed with either Hashimoto's or Warthin's Variant of Papillary Carcinoma. I'm going to another endo in September to get another biopsy. So I'm not sure of others, but I think it can happen. Within the last couple of months I've developed a cough and sore throat all the time. I'm a little scared, but I want to find out the truth. I'm not sure I want another biopsy. I want them to operate. Again, I'm sorry you are dealing with all of this. Please ask yor doctor questions and remember it's your body and your life. Be assertitive if you feel he or she is not thinking of your best interest. I'll be praying for you! 
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Hi mpollick33,
I understand you wanting to wrap your head around this, it can be quite confusing... I had a total thyroidectomy in Oct.06. I know many patients have partial Thryoidectomies and from what my Endo and Surgeons have said, if it is an option for patients than it is a better one. I'm on Synthroid now and have been since my surgery. It is a long release medication meaning, it takes time for it too work. So when the doctor says 12-18 it could take the later or longer part of that time. Synthroid is a type of thyroid medicine called levothyroxine sodium. It works just like the thyroxine your body makes naturally. Synthroid is carried through your blood and absorbed by cells in your body. It can take sometime for your Endo to get the right dossage for you but now since the surgery I assume they will be monitoring you more closly with blood work. For me I was on 150mcg up to 300mcg of Synthroid and now I'm back to 150mcg daily. It is really important to follow the instructions that the doctor and pharmasict give you while taking this or any drug for that matter. It takes some time and patients for everyone, medical team and family/friends support team included. I understand try to stay positive. Today I feel good with Synthroid! Will my dosages have to be changed tomorrow or later in life probably but hey it's a small inconvience than having what was at one point a very serious matter. Will be thinking of you!
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I'm not sure you will know whether your other half has cancer for a while. Your synthroid may take a long time to regulate because you sill have some acting thyroid. I had a metastisis to the lymph nodes and found out 4 months after the first surgery that I had 7 tumors in lymph nodes by my heart. Had to have another surgery.
The good news is that normally, if you are not elderly or otherwise very sick, thyroid cancer is survivable. Hardly anyone dies from it. Worst case scenario... we have more surgeries later. That's not so bad, compared to, say, cancer that eats your lungs or liver or colon and you die very slowly. We are lucky and should remember that.
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