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scared and confused about papillary thyroid cancer
I had a very small nodule that was found incidentally in an ultrasound 4 years ago and it has been monitored ever since. It is about 1 cm and has grown in 4 years about 2mm. Some questions I have... 1. Has anyone just had the thyroid removed on not had the RI treatment ( I am concerned about this because I have been trying to get pregnant) 2. Has anyone just had one lobe of the thyroid removed if the cancer seemed contained to a nodule? 3. There is a chance I am pregnant now (will know next week), in that case my endo and surgeon have said they are comfortable with me having the baby and dealing with this after the baby in about a year, is it too risky to wait? 4. Anyone that has had there thyroid removed, will I ever feel normal again after not having a thyroid? What is the quickest way to prepare myself to get my levels regulated asap! I have always had a perfect thyroid function and have no other health conditions. 5. Finally anyone have a preference on doctors in south florida to remove the thyroid?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Given the very minimal growth over the last 4 years, a biopsy of papillary thyroid cancer during pregnancy can certainly wait until after delivery for surgery. If it is less than 1 cm in size, lobectomy alone may be reasonable. If it is 1 cm or greater, typically we prefer a total thyroidectomy. Often radioactive iodine is not needed. If you're pregnant, then we typically follow with ultrasound during pregnancy to document no significant growth or lymph node involvement, if there is a significant concern, then surgery during second trimester is recommended. We also do consider levothyroxine treatment to keep the TSH in the lower end of normal.
That's a good thing that it all seems perfect.
Maybe you can ask to just have RAI treatment instead of surgery??
I'm 29 so roughly the same :)
Maybe you can ask to just have RAI treatment instead of surgery??
I'm 29 so roughly the same :)
Yes I have 3 different appointments coming up with some top doctors at some teaching universities. I have no symptoms of this at all and my bloodwork is perfect. If you dont mind me asking, how old are you? I am 32.
I know I can't help with a lot of the questions you have but please try to get an appointment with your Endo, ask those questions you have, ask for Thyroid tests and maybe another ultrasound to see anymore/if any more growth of the cancer.
It is not dangerous at all to be on thyroid replacements during pregnancy, many women do it. Keep in mind like Dr Lupo said....
Your cancer is very small and most likely would only need the infected lobe to be removed so that can be done before you try to get pregnant again.
Having half a thyroid means you can function without meds :)
I didn't even know what a thyroid was before I was diagnosed. I have seen many doctors and many have been compassionate, others not so.
It is a very slow moving cancer so I get told, however, mine spread to stage 2 within a few months. All my results pointed to a cyst.
Do you have an appointment booked to see your doctor??
Do ou have any symptoms? Have you had bloodwork done lately?
What is the next step for you?
It will be ok :)
It is not dangerous at all to be on thyroid replacements during pregnancy, many women do it. Keep in mind like Dr Lupo said....
Your cancer is very small and most likely would only need the infected lobe to be removed so that can be done before you try to get pregnant again.
Having half a thyroid means you can function without meds :)
I didn't even know what a thyroid was before I was diagnosed. I have seen many doctors and many have been compassionate, others not so.
It is a very slow moving cancer so I get told, however, mine spread to stage 2 within a few months. All my results pointed to a cyst.
Do you have an appointment booked to see your doctor??
Do ou have any symptoms? Have you had bloodwork done lately?
What is the next step for you?
It will be ok :)
I have not had any scans done as non have been recommended. What type of scans did you have?
Thanks for your response. Another couple questions if you don't mind. .can you shed any light on the retrospective analysis that have been done looking at overtreatment of low risk patients with stage 1 papillary thyroid cancer? From different things I have been reading it seems though there has not been a big difference in removing someones whole thyroid vs just doing routine observation with ultrasound to monitor changes when you compare long term outcomes ( studies by Ito and Davies) ? It seems like there hasn't been much current research done on thyroid cancer and they have been treating they same way no matter the differences in patients and types of cancers. I realize this one day needs to be addressed if there are changes in its growth, but for me timing is tough right now. I had surgery last year to remove endometriosis to help get me pregnant. If I am not currently pregnant I was going to do IVF. I fear if I remove my perfectly functioning thyroid my hormones will be out of wack for a long time which makes it harder to get pregnant and the endometriosis could come back and I would then need surgery for that again. I am seeking many opinions in the safety of waiting to address my thyroid in a year and focus on pregnancy?
Glad to help.
Mine was found by accident while removing a cyst in my neck. While operating on that they saw the thyroid and where it had spread too. I had scans before my op to see if it had spread to any other part of the body.
It seems like yours is quite small and isolated to one lone so you won't have a problem if they only do a lobectomy. Scans should be done. Have you had any done?
Mine was found by accident while removing a cyst in my neck. While operating on that they saw the thyroid and where it had spread too. I had scans before my op to see if it had spread to any other part of the body.
It seems like yours is quite small and isolated to one lone so you won't have a problem if they only do a lobectomy. Scans should be done. Have you had any done?
Thank you your response did help:) Did you know that the papillary had spread to the lymphnode before you had surgery or can they only tell that in surgery? Thanks!
Hi there, sorry to hear about the news.
Be assured there would not be a danger if you wait til after the birth, I fact safer if you need RAI. Congratulations if you are pregnant :)
I can't help with doctors as I am in Australia, but they are questions you should ask your endo or surgeon?
I was diagnosed earlier this year with papillary thyroid also by accident and it was 6mm and also spread to a parathyroid and lymphnode.... So outside the thyroid. The cancer was only in one lobe but because it had spread it I need to remove the whole thyroid and have a neck disection.
I am on hormone replacements for the rest of my life.
Always remember when researching EVERYONE has different outcomes. To me if your cancer is just in one lobe and not spread I don't see why you would need a total thyroidectomy. Some people post surgery have RAI just as a precaution and I myself had a low dose and didn't really feel a thing :)
Many people who have a TT have had a very difficult time to adjusting to the medications and many people have has a better then ever response.
You need good doctors and ones that will listen and ask any questions to them that you may be concerned about.
Hope this has helped even alittle :)
Be assured there would not be a danger if you wait til after the birth, I fact safer if you need RAI. Congratulations if you are pregnant :)
I can't help with doctors as I am in Australia, but they are questions you should ask your endo or surgeon?
I was diagnosed earlier this year with papillary thyroid also by accident and it was 6mm and also spread to a parathyroid and lymphnode.... So outside the thyroid. The cancer was only in one lobe but because it had spread it I need to remove the whole thyroid and have a neck disection.
I am on hormone replacements for the rest of my life.
Always remember when researching EVERYONE has different outcomes. To me if your cancer is just in one lobe and not spread I don't see why you would need a total thyroidectomy. Some people post surgery have RAI just as a precaution and I myself had a low dose and didn't really feel a thing :)
Many people who have a TT have had a very difficult time to adjusting to the medications and many people have has a better then ever response.
You need good doctors and ones that will listen and ask any questions to them that you may be concerned about.
Hope this has helped even alittle :)
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