I have a question

[Liz94]

I had my surgery and am now waiting on the pathology reports and have a question...

My whole thyroid was removed because of a nodule on the left side. It was a small nodule buried deep within the left side that showed papillary cancer cells when sent off to the lab. My doctor said they did not send a frozen section to the lab during surgery, no need because it had already shown cancer and he was taking it all to be on the safe side. After the surgery he said he sent the rest to the lab and the results would be back in a week or so and we'd go from there.  The rest of what? The nodule? The thyroid?  What are they testing?  He said the need for the RAI would be determined by what the pathology report showed. Are they looking for more cancer in the thyroid itself?  And if there are just cancer cells in the nodule do you still do the RAI?  I have so many questions that I could not get answered because they just totally rushed me through this process to get it done before Christmas and then my surgeon went on vacation.  I'm fine with that, I'm glad it's out. But, now I have questions and everyone is is off for a week!

[utahmomma]

My 5mm papillary carcinoma was found on my first surgery when I only had a Rt lobectomy.  Having the second half out wasn't warranted until everyone else in my family decided to contract papillary carcinoma too.  :-(  I had the other half out a year later and it was cancer free.  My labs were watched very closely and two years later my Tg (cancer marker) and TSH started climbing so RAI was then warranted.  Of the four of us in my family two have had to have RAI and two haven't (they have had stable labs for years.

Papillary carcinoma is notorious for having microcancers in other places in the thyroid.  Mine didn't (at first) but a microcancer started growing years later - hence the RAI.  That is what is happening at the lab - they are going through all of your thyroid tissue looking for additional areas of cancer.

Hope this answers some of the questions

[Liz94]

Well I'm hoping I won't have to do the RAI either.  I don't exactly have a life where it will be easy for me to isolate myself for several days.  Will do it if needed obviously, but not something I'm wanting. Also, took a look at that low iodine diet and not too thrilled about that either!  I was worried about gaining weight being off my medication but after following that low iodine diet for 2 weeks I'm sure I'll wither away to nothing since there's nothing good to eat on it.  

Here's another question....my doctor says I can resume my running as soon as I feel ready. I usually run several miles 4 days a week.  How does your body burn calories with no thyroid to work your metabolism?  No thyroid and no meds...can I still work out safely?

[quilter221k]

I had a TT and there was papillary cancer (.5cm in size), but not invading other tissues, so they opted not to do RAI, because they said I would have worse problems had I done RAI.

[ChitChatNine]

They are ckg the entire thyroid for cancer anyplace and any type of cancer . there can be diff. types in other areas!  

If I had a TT and they found Ca I would opt for for RAI .. just my opinion but would seem the surgery is only 1/2 the treatment .. see what your dr or Dr. Lupo on the other board has to offer.

It is tough to be left hanging w/o answers!

C~

[Thypatient]

Hope you get more specific answers, especially about your RAI questions, but I can say my entire thyroid was sent to the pathology lab after surgery.

I too felt rushed, this was the middle of summer and the dr wasn't going anywhere.

Best wishes.