thyroid cancer???

[thenoys]

During a total thyroidectomy if thyroid tissue found in surrounding lymph nodes does that mean it's cancer?  Also if a person has thyroid cancer, hurthle cell, what is considered late stages?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Thyroid tissue in a lymph node, usually means spread of thyroid cancer to that lymph node.  If this is hurthle cell cancer, it is usually more aggressive than papillary, but the staging system is the same.  It depends on age, cancer size, which lymph nodes were involved and spread outside the neck.  Would discuss this with your endocrinologist to learn the details/staging and treatment plan for your case.  Usually I-131 (radioactive iodine) is used.

[thenoys]

Dr. Lupo,
The results back which was reported as lymphocytic thyroiditis.  Question with that diagnosis would it cause it to spread to my lymph nodes?  Also, is there anything I will need to worry about in the future, I asked my ENT whom stated everythings ok but seemed to not really answer my questions.  I have tried to look it up on the computer but the main thing that comes up is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.   I was started on synthroid  still awaiting to feel better given my levels ran low post surgery.  Again, I thank you for your opinion and advise/info you could provide.