Question on secondary cancer scanning

[Norseman616]

Hello,
I have a question regarding process and procedure with respect to secondary cancer scanning.  I am a 49 year old male who was diagnosed with Hoshimotos in January of this year.  Subsequent testing identified a suspicious thyroid lesion that was confirmed to be Papillary cancer following a total throidectomy performed 2 weeks ago.  The size was 1.4cm x1.4cm x0.5cm with good margins.  I am scheduled for iodine ablation with a subsequent scan sometime early next month.  My question relates to the sufficiency of the I131 scan in identification and tratment of secondary cancer. What circumstances might require an MRI or PET scan as well? Is the I131 scan alone considered sufficient?  My concern is that a potential secondary may not be RAI positive and may be missed with just the standard post ablative I131 scan.  How and when is the scope of post surgical testing determined?

Thank you for any insight you may provide.      

[stella5349]

Your questions are hard to answer.

Iodine ablation is I-131. Scans to determine to spread - if pap cancer is still visable - I assume is only I-123.

Are you concerned this is no longer thyroid cancer and may be elsewhere?

If it is lymph node spread - I think I-123 will pick that up - not sure

If suspecion is lung or other areas - I would assume MRI's would detect this.

Is there suspecion of it being elsewhere.?

[dawnangela]

Mmm i was thinking the same thing..It seems like a relative small cancer to of spread ?. I know they are all different tho..do you think it has spread?