suspicious cells are not necessarily cancer

[lumpy2]

I just had my surgery on Monday to take out half my thyroid and would like to share my story in case any of you are pondering this same issue.  If you remember my posts from before I had two FNA's suspicious for papillary carcinoma.  My doc was certain that she would be removing the whole thyroid since two positive FNA's were almost certain cancer.  She did say she would do a frozen section test during the surgery to see what they said, but if they said they didn't know (as often you can't tell using frozen section) she would go ahead and take out the whole thing.  After this apt I did some research on the accuracy of FNA's and frozen sections and many studies say these are not very accurate ways of actually saying whether or not it's cancer, the only way to tell for sure is the pathology done on the thyroid tissue they remove.  So I convinced my surgeon to only remove the half with the lump, do the pathology, and that I'd come back for a second surgery if it was postive.  It was a hard decision, no one wants to come back for a second surgery, but I could live with that more than taking out the whole thing if it was healthy.  Well, much to the surprise of my doc my pathology came back negative!  My nodule is benign and I can live with the other intact thyroid half which in 80% of the cases kicks in with enough hormone for your body not to need meds.  I am really happy that it all worked out and I don't have to go back and go through RAI as I have two kids under 3 I'd have to stay isolated from.  I'm a little upset that they put me through a year of worrying like crazy about this (since I was pregnant when they first "detected" it I had to wait for the surgery) when it wasn't cancer after all.  By the way the doc on this doc post did agree with me to have only half taken out as he said that indeterminant FNA's are only 20% of the time cancer.

For anyone with upcoming surgeries it really was a piece of cake compared to my 2 C-Sections.  Though I'm not thrilled at having had unnecessary surgery I'd be less thrilled if I was thyroid-less right now.  For anyone who had to had a TT I am praying that your meds work well for you and that you feel like yourself afterwards.

[imedicmommy]

My scar still pretty fresh but I've seen others and let me tell you I wouldn't know it was there unless they pointed it out, so thats the good news. I was told to put vitamin E on it and must use sunscreen when outside or it will stay redder longer. It gets better pretty quick.
Congrats on the great result.
Hope this helps

[lumpy2]

Thanks.  I got my stitches out today.  It looks horrible by my books but my husband says it's not so bad.  Anyone had their scar for a long time?  anything good to put on it to help it blend in better?

[redhed87]

Wow- that's great for you.  Mine was highly suspicious and after the frozen section, cancer was confirmed.  Final pathology also confirmed cancer as well- so I did have a TT.. YOu must have had that feeling because that was a brave decision.  I didn't want to have two surgeries and mine worked out as well.  Congrats on the benign diagnosis............

[ChitChatNine]

It was not unecessary surgery bcz 25% of "suspicious" nodules turn into cancer if left intact!  You did the right thing 100% right thing and I commend you for speaking up to your Dr's .. I totally agree with how you did things .. 1/2 out and other 1/2 out if frozen section and/or final is cancer!!!

Mine were atypical too and totaly benign upon biopsy but I was told 25% of them turn cancerous so I wasn't willing to stick around to see that happen with that 1/2 !!!

C~