papillary cancer of thyroid

[tito55]

Hi I am new to this forum but her I go. My wife was currently dignosed with papillary thyroid cancer and we are waiting for a meet and consult appt. with the surgen. We were told by the Thyroid specilaist that she needed to have all her thyroid removed. My question is how confident should we be with the pathologist report and can the biopsy be wrong? I did ask the specialist if we could do another biopsy and he relied it would not be necessary because the first was enough.

[tito55]

Hi Doc. you must be very busy but when you have time can you please help with my question dated 03/08/10


TITO55 Gracias

[Barbiemac1]

I had a total thyroidectomy because of cancer over 11 years ago, I am doing fine.  I am on Synthroid and was advised not to use the generic, but was never given a good reason why. My concern is I too have throat constriction and my throat feels like my food sticks.
I have seen ENT, GI and have been scanned also to no end not able to tell me why.  Could having the thryoid removed cause a narrowing of some sort, although I know the thryoid is outside of the esophagus. I was just wandering.  I don't regret the surgery and would do it again if I had to just to know that I am cancer free lifted my spirits.   TO: Titio 55, I went through the surgery well, came home after 24 hours, pain was not unbearable, just uncomfortable.  By all means get rid of the cancer. I will be praying for your both

[Justi_has_a_booboo]

Welcome to the community :)

I just went through some of what you and your wife are going through. If I can help in any way, just send me a message. She should do really well. Being told cancer is in charge of your life and body is never fun. If you get an excellent surgeon then she will be well on her way to being healed and getting back to being in control.

Good luck to you both :)

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

At age 46, her thyroid cancer needs to be treated.
Most people do very well with surgery and levothyroxine treatment -- even much older patients w/ similar medical problems.

[lspvm]

My situation was exactly the same. Was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma, had total thyroidectomy in March 2008. Surgery successful, recovery was quick, do my radioactive iodine checks and markers are low. I have a strong reaction to levothyroxine replacement hormone, however. I cough all the time and feel a throat constriction that disappears as I reduce the dosage. I need TSH levels <1, and don't know what to do.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

If the FNA biopsy showed papillary cancer, there is a <1% chance it is not (even in these cases, it's likely a pre-cancer).  With biopsy proven cancer, total thyroidectomy is the surgery of choice.  Also important to do careful pre-operative neck ultrasound (with the thyroid specialist) to make sure there are not abnormal lymph nodes.

[ladybug196346]

Hi Dr. Lupo, I try to navigate in this site but I am still learning. I send messages and do not get responses, I think I am doing it wrong, well I will try again! Just an update. The wifa had her TT and is recovering and is feeling the symptoms of Hypo hell. My question is why do Endos have pts. level out so low, because I took her to emergancy due to mean shaking of her hands and her calcium was 84 and her hormone level was 70.1. There is some hope the pathologist report came back good no cancer in the parathriod tissue and Lympnodes. The Thyroid was sliced and the surounding tissue had no cancer only the 2.5mm solid nodule had stage2 papillary carcinoma. The Endo stated " she might not need RAI". we are hopefull that this remains true. Question have you every heard of anyone not needing RAI after a TT? The wifa's next appt. is 04/09/10 and I have 2 pages of questions. Do you have any questions you would like me to ask the Endo?

[tito55]

Hi Dr. Lupo, I try to navigate in this site but I am still learning. I send messages and do not get responses, I think I am doing it wrong, well I will try again! Just an update. The wifa had her TT and is recovering and is feeling the symptoms of Hypo hell. My question is why do Endos have pts. level out so low, because I took her to emergancy due to mean shaking of her hands and her calcium was 84 and her hormone level was 70.1. There is some hope the pathologist report came back good no cancer in the parathriod tissue and Lympnodes. The Thyroid was sliced and the surounding tissue had no cancer only the 2.5mm solid nodule had stage2 papillary carcinoma. The Endo stated " she might not need RAI". we are hopefull that this remains true. Question have you every heard of anyone not needing RAI after a TT? The wifa's next appt. is 04/09/10 and I have 2 pages of questions. Do you have any questions you would like me to ask the Endo?

[tito55]

We had a meet and consult with both surgeons and one did not have the best bedside manner. We kept them in the room asking 4 pages of questions for about 45 munities. They are both  General Surgeons (My Insurance only has them for this type of surgery). But they perform several a month. I will quote them " we have done way more then five hundred total Throidectomies without vocal nerve damage or other complications". I did feel confortable with them doing the surgery, but when I asked for the length of the incision they mentioned 4.7 inches. Also they are going to do the Ultrasound of the neck. My questions are how do the doctors sound to you and the length of incision is it a normal size, if you have any other comments or concerns please let me know?

Thank you for all your time and help Tito55

p.s. surgery sched for 03/19/10    

[tito55]

Thank You oh so much and I will keep you in my Prayers and posted.

                          

[tito55]

Thank you for your kind words. I have been my wife's care giver and I asked her to join in this forum, but she is not ready. So I am wondering how long did your body become used to the Thyroid replacement durgs and what if any side effects did you encounter? We have a meet and consult with a surgeon on 03/08/10. Her Thyroid specailist stated " Mr.Tito55  your wife has gone through alot and she will have the best surgeon". Their names are Dr, Alan Wiess and assisting will be Dr. David Duarte. I have resached both through the The Medical Board of Califorina and have found that never in their history of surgerys having not one complaint. Also I have asked around and all have said nothing but good things about them.

Gracias Tito55 ;[    

[tito55]

Thank You for your quik respone. I am going to give you my wife's medical history since 12/17/07, She had hand and shoulder surgery and going to recovery she had a cardiac arrest. Subsequently, she needed a double heart by pass of the suva and lima. It was successful she had some complictions, along the way, but now is coping with the pain. ( closely monitored through pain mangement doctors). She needed plastic surgery on the scar becaue it beveloped large shin masses, so they were removed, she is on b.p.meds, lipitor, codine,atenolol and ativan. My question is this, how will my wife's body possibly do going through another surgery and life time on L-thyroxine? She has been cleared by the heart Dr. but I am very worried about her quality of life with L-thyroxine! My wife has had all the bad luck that a person can handle, in all her surgeries something has happended! She is only 46 years old.