What decides whether you have to do RAI treatment or not?

[Justin1967]

I had surgery last Wednesday and stayed 3 nights in hospital.  Results from pathology showed that the larger nodule was benign follicular, while the smaller nodule was a varient of papillary ca.  Thus the procedure was converted to a  completion thyroidectomy.
The cancer was very very small 2mm x 3mm.

[redhed87]

After talking to my surgeon, he told me that with the size of the tumor I had (2.3cm) and 2 lymph nodes involved, I should definitely have RAI.  He said I would kick myself if the cancer came back later and i didn't opt to have RAI.  I agree.  Also, he said if I had micorscopic cells in the ramining lymph nodes, it would kill that too.  As much as I am not looking forward to it, I'm doing it.  I had a good idea- everyone in the hospital who is having RAI should have private rooms that connect to a common area so you could have some human contact.  I'm a people person.  Although- we'll all be so extremely hypo that we won't be any fun to be around!!! LOL

[4myhope]

I had 3 very small cancerous areas 4mm, 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm.  My doc had me do the RAI - I think mostly because there was more than 1 spot.  It was no big deal.  The hardest parts were just the hassle of all of the appts, being somewhat isolated, and not being able to kiss my family!

[venora]

I am like Kathy I got the RaI for the peace of mind that no cancer could come back .I had tt in Sept thats when they found pap cancer.I would do the same if I had to do it again.I am fighter and so I decided I wasnt going to let cancer get me even though it was a small cancer in my goiter.
Good luck and let us know how you are .
Love Venora

[redhed87]

I received my final path. report and mine was a 2.3cm and a .1cm multifocal papillary carcinoma with 2 out of seven lymph nodes showing papillary carcinoma. My right lobe showed hurthle cells but no evidence of carcinoma and the 3 lymph nodes were negative as well.  With the tumor size and the fact that I had lymph node involvement, my endo said I definitely have to have RAI.  I agree since it went to the lymph nodes. In your case, what did your doctor say?  

[KathyD]

for me it was size and staging.  Mine was 2cm large and papillary cancer.  I had half taken out and went back for a total TT.  I wanted the RAI just so that i knew all would be gone....and it should not come back. More of a peace of mind thing.  You can still just have yours checked so often. I just felt it was easier to get it all done and not have to worry to be honest.  Your doctor will sit down with you and go over your options.  

[NJ Yogini]

A 6mm pap carcinoma was found in my right lobe during a lobectomy in February, but didn't find that out for 10 days post op.  Just had the rest of my thyroid removed on May 10.  That report came back clear of cancer. I am not going to get the RAI..will just be closely monitored.  I'm OK with that.

[MJ13]

I had 4 cold nodules with one, which was the largest @ 9mm, that was papillary carcinoma.  My surgeon said standard protocol was if the cancer is less than 1 cm, you don't need RAI.  I asked him "If it was your thyroid, or a family member, what would you do?"  He said he would have the RAI.  Although being 3 weeks of my meds and going thru hypohell wasn't a cake walk, and hair thinning afterwards for 3 months wasn't fun either....I don't regret it for a second.  I know I have done every thing possible to ensure that my cancer does not return.  My greatest fear is having it come back in another area of the body.  I didn't want to take that chance.  So now I have a warm fuzzy knowing the odds are stacked in my favor.  Besides, I feel doing RAI just increases my chances of having a long healthy life.  I watched my 43 yr old sister-in-law die of ovarian cancer 14 months after diagnosis.  I want to do everything possible to avoid getting cancer again.  Some people are more cautious that I am and elect not to have RAI.  I am too impatient to do the "wait and watch to see if the nodule grows" approach.  Everyone needs to decide what is the best course of treatment for them...for me it was RAI.

[Justin1967]

Hi

There was mention of RAI after the operation. Now I am not too sure if it is the right move as it is very small and my lymph nodes don't seem to be enlarged.