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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
radiation instead of removal?
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
radiation instead of removal?
by lumpy2, Aug 25, 2007 01:26PM
I am set for surgery to remove half my thyroid, check if my lump is cancer and then possibly do a second surgery to remove the other half if it is. A friend of mine had her thyroid destroyed by radioactive iodide treatment instead of removal by surgery for severe hyperthyroid. Is it possible that if my tests from the first surgery come back as positive for cancer that I can just have the radiation treatment instead of a second surgery? If I have to do radiation afterwards to be certain I have no thyroid cells left that might have travelled why would a second surgery be necessary?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Aug 25, 2007 02:40PM
, Aug 25, 2007 02:40PM
No, radioactive iodine does not work for thyroid cancer to "ablate/knock out" the remaining entire lobe. Total thyroidectomy is needed in most cases of thyroid cancer. In some studies up to 40% of papillary thyroid cancer patients have cancer on both sides.
Once the entire thyroid is out -- Radioactive Iodine is often used to ablate the small remnant that is left behind in the event cancer was discovovered.
Once the entire thyroid is out -- Radioactive Iodine is often used to ablate the small remnant that is left behind in the event cancer was discovovered.
