Now in my lymph nodes?

Last year I had TT and RAI.  Now, I went to the doctor yesterday for an US because I thought I felt a lump again and am having pain and pressure in my throat.  They said they think maybe the cancer is in my lymph nodes now.  What does that mean?  Is the treatment the same?  I am already scheduled to do another RAI ablation next month because it didn't "kill" all of my thyroid last year.  Do I have to do another treatment besides that?  Will it just be in my lymph nodes in my neck or other places.  Has anyone else had this?

Any thought would be greatly comforting.

[redhed87]

I had a tt on May 30th for pap. cancer and it was found in 2 lymph nodes (out of the 10 they removed).  I also had RAI, which I was told would destroy any microscopic cancer cells in my lymph nodes if any remained. Before I even had my surgery, I was sent for a sonogram of the soft tissue in the neck to make sure the lymph nodes weren't inflamed, etc.  It came back clear, but they still found cancer in two.   Are they going to biopsy your lymph nodes?  They can do that.  Sometimes they'll go in and take out the lymph nodes. I don't really know any more about this, but I do know they can biosy the lymph nodes.  Good luck and keep us posted.

[JoBa]

I'm no expert, and am new to this myself, but my understanding is that lymph node involvement is not uncommon with thyroid cancer.  The good news, at least my understanding anyway, is that unlike with other cancers it does not  indicate a worse outcome. I have read that if there is lymph node involvement, then all nodes in the neck should be removed. Cherry picking, i.e. removing only affected lymph nodes, has not been shown to be effective.  Again, I am not an MD, so my knowledge is limited to what I have read in the published literature (keep in mind that info on websites can be questionable, so if possible you should refer to the published literature). I search MedLine for information and articles that are not free online can usually be obtained from medical school libraries.  Of course, interpreting the information can be difficult, but I sometimes bring the articles to the Dr with me.

I wish you luck. I am still trying to get a final Dx, so I don't know about my lymph nodes yet.  The waiting sucks.

[ChitChatNine]

My 2nd opinion Endo was fabulous .. he knew of my history b4 my appt and gave me articles that he researched just for me and my case and highlighted imp. parts in yellow as they applied to my papillary microcarinomas.  Then gave me the websites to print out my own copies .... I took them to my Primary Doc, my regular Endo and my Surgeon and used them as 2nd opinions, too, with the new info in hand that they were not aware of entirely and/or on top of as the protocols had only recently changed mos. before my surgery.

Just a blurb to show everyone how powerful good articles online can be!  These articles were from Endo Journals by highly known docs in the field so I've been told.  I have links someplace if anybody needs/wants them.

Cheryl

[Jennyg79]

I'm also suffering from swollen painful lymph nodes on the left side of my neck, i had my thryod removed 5/7/09.. i start my RAI treatment on 7/24... its only been the last few days that the lumps have come back do you think it could be from coming off the medication to prepare for the RAI treatment? i was just starting to feel like myself again when i had to stop taking my meds (thryoxine). I feel like this is starting all over again, i complained for 2yrs of painful lumps in my neck before i was diagnosed w/the thryoid cancer & hismoto disease.  It makes me scared to think the cancer is back or its still in my lymph notes.

[nissah46]

Did the surgeon remove any lymph nodes during your TT?  The RAI will take care of any remaining thyroid cells elsewhere in your body.  Will you be having a whole body scan (WBS)?
Trish