Info on RAI

[debigolebiewski]

My husband was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer after he had surgery for removal of a lobe of thyroid effected by Thyroiditis.  They found cancer and he had a second surgery for removal of the total thyroid, lymph node dissection and resect in the trachea because the cancer has spread to the trachea (5cm tumor).  He was given 100mci RAI on November 21st.  How long do we have to wait to see if this kills the cancer?  The surgeon said the cancer was a very aggressive cancer but path still says it is papillary.  My husband is 53.  He is taking Synthroid for his thyroid medication now.  We go back to the ENDO in Memphis, TN on December 26th for bloodwork. What should I expect?  Honest, please, when should we know whether this cancer is dying or if it is more aggressive than the RAI?    

[utahmomma]

I'm sorry about your entire family.  Be strong for your husband but remember that it is just as hard (if not harder) on the loved ones.  **WE ARE HERE FOR YOU***

[debigolebiewski]

Thanks for your comments.  You are most kind.  You probably know how easy it is to worry though.  I worry so much when I hear the word caner, period.  I've lost everyone in my family to cancer and my husband is all I have left!

[whittie918]

You know it angers me that the surgeon would make such a comment like that.  Its not possible to tell by naked eye what "type" of cancer he had.  I know attaching to the trachea is alarming and allot of doctors consider that aggressive behavior (I know, my small 15mm nodule attached to mine).  But you know what, the size of your husbands nodule was pretty darn large and was probably there for a bit of time.  It EVENTUALLY would attach to SOMETHING if you leave it be long enough.  Its what cancer does, its the nature of it.  Plus, if the nodule is between the thyroid and the trach, well it seems natural in such a small space to attach.

It does not mean you have this rare modified form of the cancer.  My doctor had me so freaked out when he told me that I had to ask for the final biopsy report myself and read it.  The proof is there, it was Papillary and like everyone says, that kind is the most curable.  

Your husband will get over this and so will I.  Like Utahmomma said, it may take a few treatments but treatment will succeed!!!!!

[utahmomma]

RAI is highly effective on papillary carcinoma.  Did your husband get the results of his scan (should have been done about 5 days after RAI) and where/how much the uptake was?  The next steps will be to draw blood to establish the TSH and Tg levels; put him on synthetic thyroids meds, and get his levels stabilized.  From there his labs will be followed closely to watch for an increase in TSH and Tg (cancer marker).  Don't be alarmed if your husband needs another round or two of RAI - that's very common.

This web site helps explain some of it:  http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroid.html

My best to you and your family!

Utahmomma - papillary carcinoma