Seriousness of Thyroid Cancer

[Fatimaa]

Hi,
I'm 16, and I'm concerned about my mother. She came home from the doctors with the news that she has thyroid cancer, papillary thyroid cancer to be exact. I've read some of the symptoms of this disease, and my mum has quite a large lump on her neck. Other than that, she feels no pain from it. Originally, she went to the doctors because she felt her heart rate increasing and her inability to sleep because of her heart rate. Is an increase in heart rate a symptom of this cancer.

I just want to know, if there's a high rate of curing this type of cancer. I have read on a site that over 95% have been cured, but I'm not quite sure if that's true.

And is there anything that maybe I can do for her??

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer and is the most treatable.  Your correct that the vast majority of patients do very well with appropriate therapy.  It isn't uncommon for patients with papillary thyroid cancer to have tachycardia (increased heart rate), so this may have been a separate problem.  She should ask if her thyroid function was normal, as hyperthyroidism can cause an increased heart rate.

Typically the next step is surgery and if this is a larger cancer then radioactive iodine is given approximately 6 weeks after surgery.  The cure rate is very high but she will need surveillance by her endocrinologist on a regular basis.

[katycat79]

That particular kind of Thyroid cancer is HIGHLY treatable, and curable. She will be just fine.

[Anniegoose]

my next door neighbor just had surgery for thyroid cancer -- i don't know what kind but apparently it was pretty bad.  anyway, she is doing really well and the doctors have told her that she is okay.


blessings and prayers for your mom.