Thyroid Cancer symptoms/findings prior to surgery

[Lynn63]

I am just wondering if those of you who were found to have thyroid cancer had specific symptoms.  I have a 1 cm nodule which was biopsied and found to have several of the characteristics that meet the criteria for Papillary Thyroid Cancer.  I am scheduled for sugery in November and the plan is to remove the left lobe and possibly the entire thyroid.  I guess I am just wondering what to expect and what how likely it is to actually be cancer.  I have been told that I will need a week to recuperate before going back to work.
I would appreciate any suggestions and experiences that people have had to enlighten me.

Thanks!
:)

[Lynn63]

Thank you all for your replies!  I will talk to the doctor to see if I should be taking extra calcium in advance of the surgery too.
Medhelp is an awesome way for people to share experiences....it seems you HAVE to do so much research yourself to be proactive with your health.
Good luck to all of you!
Lynn:)

[MJ13]

Your parathyroids are 4 rice-grain sized glands just behind your thyroid that controls the calcium in your body.  It is not uncommon for these glands to be disturbed during thyroid surgery.  This can cause your calcium levels to drop.  If you experience tingling in your fingers, lips, or hands, this is the first sign that you need massive dosages of calcium.  When your calcium level get too low this this called hypocalciumia.  I had this after my TT two years ago.  I was given massive dosages of calcium through pills and IV's for 5 days and finally was able to get discharged from the hospital.  I also had to take about 1500 mgs of calcium with vitamin D for about 3 months after my TT.  I was fortunate and my parathyroids recovered fairly quickly.  Sometimes it takes months for the parathyroid to recover.

[selmaS]

Can u explain to me what u meant by the symptoms of the parathyroid.


"selma"

[MJ13]

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease 2 yrs ago and papillary thyca shortly thereafter.  Although I had symptoms related to my Graves, I had no symptoms whatsoever for my thyca. I had 4 nodules with the largest one being 9mm and cancerous, but none could be felt.

I was told to expect a week for recovery too.  I was told I would be in the hospital for 2 nights. However, my calcium level dropped so low that I experienced tingling in my toes, lips and fingers.  My hands cramped so bad I couldn't even pick up a glass.  Lucky for me I was forewarned by the people here about the tingling and knew to tell my nurse that I needed calcium ASAP.  I ended up having to stay in the hospital for 7 days due to my low calcium level.  I found out if hypocalciumia is left untreated it could lead to convulsions and even death.  But most doctors know to look for this after thyroid surgery.

Good luck with your surgery.  If you have any more questions just ask away.  We're here to help each other. The people on this site really helped me get through my surgery and recovery.  

MJ

I ended up going back to work about 2 1/2 weeks after my surgery.  But recuperation time varies with every individual.  Some are lucky and can go back to work almost immedietely.  

[maryrose59]

I just had a my left lobe isthmus and a lymph node removed on last Thursday. I feel really well today and even went to the store to purchase some turtlenecks for work.  I am not able to return to work until Monday, Oct 27, 2008. I am a special education teacher and I am teaching children with autism..so the DR thought it best to wait sometime.  BUT I do feel well enough to go to work. Good Luck!!

[Lynn63]

Thanks for your reply!  I hope they just take the whole thing out if there is any doubt.  What size was the nodule?  How are you doing on meds now since removal?

Lynn:)

[alice471]

Hi,

I kept going to the doctors because I felt sick all the time.I had numerous tests for just about eveything but couldnt find the problem. A nodule on my thyroid was only found when I happened to mention one day that I could feel a lump in my throat when I swallow.

I had tests done on the nodule. FNA's all came back clear. Biopsy was unconclusive.
The doctor decided to go ahead and remove my right side thyroid because of the size of the nodule. It was only following this that it was found to be cancer. Ive now been back into hospital to have the remained of my thyroid removed.

I was in hospital 2 nights the first time and 1 night the second time. I was off work for a few weeks. My neck was sore but quickly got better.

Good Luck with everything

[Lynn63]

I'm glad you mentioned the bone density....I have had that done but wasn't thinking about the thyroid replacement therapy affecting that too....thanks!
My hormones have been all over the place lately.....but my premarin wasdoing the trick and I really didn't want my doctor adjusting my meds so I just assumed it was because of summer at the time (hot flashes anyway).  Maybe the thyroid is part of the problem.

My daughter is 17 and when at doctor yesterday for her POTS (dysautonomia) they were feeling her thyroid alot.  I mentioned to them about my upcoming surgery and 'iffy' lab results.  It turned out she didn't feel anything there but of course that's another concern if mine is cancer.  

thanks again for your advice and good luck to you and your family!  I hope all of you are completely finished with cancer!

Lynn:)

[utahmomma]

They found mine on an unrelated CT scan.  After my first surgery, my youngest sister was in a minor car accident.  They found her nodule on the chest x-ray.  After that all of the rest ran out and got ultrasounds.

Never could feel the nodule so no pain.  

Normal bloodwork - yeah, makes you more concerned about the nodule.

After your surgery and they have you on thyroid replacement therapy make sure that they check your bone density.  Having ovaries removed (been there too) and on thyroid replacement therapy really zaps the calcium out of the bones.  Hence Boniva.  :-)

Best of everything!

[Lynn63]

So none of you had symptoms?!  I only found out about my nodule because of unrelated neck pain (spinal MRI for disc protrusions etc. radiologist recommended Ultrasound and bloodwork),  Ultrasound recommended biopsy....
The ENT who will be doing the surgery said that if cancer they would remove the entire thyroid which is fine with me.....I don't want to take any chances.  Did it hurt when the doctor pushed on the nodule?  Mine sure did!  My bloodwork done before the biopsy came back normal.
Thanks for the info. about the calcium.  I hadn't heard about that yet.  I do take calcium since I had my ovaries removed last year.  I guess I should search about that to see if I should take more.
Thanks so much for your reply!!
I'll let you know how things come out after my surgery November 17. :)

[utahmomma]

I had no symptoms, zero, zippo.  Same with all of my sisters.

I just had a small (5mm), complex nodule.  It looked very suspicious on the ultrasound so I decided to be aggressive and get it out.  They took the right lobe out (plan was to take the entire thyroid if cancer found but they didn't discover it until I was in recovery).  Over the next 12 months three of my sisters had their thyroids removed (two had FNAs that were negative) and had papillary carcinoma.  The other sister had precancerous nodules.  My daughter also had precancerous nodules.  I opted to get the left lobe removed 12 months later (benign).

Both of my surgeries were done on Thursdays, out of the hospital on Fridays, and back to work on Mondays.  Same situation with all my sisters and daughter.

My suggestions - have the surgeon arrange for a pathologist in the OR.  If cancer is found make sure they take the entire thing out right then and there.  If it is cancer the entire thyroid will need to be removed for further treatment.

Search on this forum - there are lots of personal experiences with the surgery.  Oh, and also make sure that you watch for cramping or tingling in your face or legs - the parathyroid glands (usually buried in the thyroid) control the calcium in the body and get very angry when disturbed.  If you get the tingling or cramping your calcium levels are dropping very dangerously and you need calcium ASAP.   You can search on that here too.

We'll save you a seat in the "Double Smile Club"  :-))

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma