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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Radiation causing thyroid cancer
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
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Radiation causing thyroid cancer
by ceegee, Aug 15, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, I was dx in 04/2003 with DCIS in my right breast. 35 rad treatments and tamoxifen for 5 years. (Three down two to go)
Last year my thyroid levels were up, had a ultrasound and thyroid uptake scan and was put on thyroid medication. This July my endo felt something, and I had another ultrasound and then went straight to a FNA biopsy yesterday for two lesions they found.
The dr performing the biopsy told me that most of these are benign which is the same thing the doctor who did the FNA biopsy for my calcifications said.
My question, I have read that radiation to the breast can cause thyroid cancer. Would it take three years to develop and would it present as lesions? I know you can't tell me the results of my biopsy, I just want to know how tyhroid cancer would present itself if the cause was from radiation.
Thank you.
Last year my thyroid levels were up, had a ultrasound and thyroid uptake scan and was put on thyroid medication. This July my endo felt something, and I had another ultrasound and then went straight to a FNA biopsy yesterday for two lesions they found.
The dr performing the biopsy told me that most of these are benign which is the same thing the doctor who did the FNA biopsy for my calcifications said.
My question, I have read that radiation to the breast can cause thyroid cancer. Would it take three years to develop and would it present as lesions? I know you can't tell me the results of my biopsy, I just want to know how tyhroid cancer would present itself if the cause was from radiation.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Aug 15, 2006 12:00AM
Dear ceegee: Thyroid cancer generally presents as a painless lump. Of course there are many benign thyroid lumps as well. Radiation may contribute to the development of thyroid cancer most commonly when the neck is part of the radiation field. The duration of time between radiation exposure and development of cancer is usually measured in years.
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