The general practice would be to schedule your wife for the followup surgery ASAP - not to wait 6 months. Follicular carcinoma is more aggressive than simple papillary carcinoma and I-131 (radiated iodine therapy or RAI as we call it here) is necessary. RAI cannot be performed until the remaining thyroid tissue is removed. There are many on here who have had the second surgery right after the first one.
Here's some information regarding follicular carcinoma: http://www.endocrineweb.com/cafol.html
Get a second opinion - preferably from an ENT, endocrinologist (who specializes in thyroid conditions) or an oncologist would be the best. There is no need to have her wait 6 months.
One thing I'm confused about; how large was the tumor? I'm guessing from the description that the 3.2cm means how far away from the edge of the thyroid capsule it was located but I'm not sure. If the caner itself was 3.2cm large then the surgery shouldn't wait 6 months!
Please take care and keep pushing the doctors.
Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04
recurrence and RAI '06
three sisters with papillary carcinoma; another with precancerous nodules; daughter with precancerous nodules
Hi ~
I am living the same thing your wife is going thru right now. I totally agree with Utah, do not wait to get this out! I had my first surgery 11/4 and they told me that the frozen section taken during the surgery was benign. 5 days later I got the call that it was papillary thy ca and that they were taking out the 2nd 1/2 on 11/14. I wanted to wait and they said no. The surgeon said you do not want scar tissue to form and they wanted the other 1/2 half out asap. I had the surgery and I am going tomorrow for my 1st endo appointment and to find out my RAI date. My surgeon is ranked 1 of the top 10 in the country for head and neck cancers and he specialzes in thyroids. I also was not sent home with any thyroid replacement. My tumor size was 3.5 cm. PLEASE do not let her wait!! Get another opinion fast if need be!!
Take care!!!
One more thing, I am 40 as well!!!