Should you have a total thyroidectomy if papillary carsenoma is found?

[kimmy654]

I have had a partial thyroidectomy about four weeks ago. Prior to the surgery the doctor aspirated the cyst twice. The first time no results but the second time showed benign cells. Because the cyst kept coming back after he drained it and I have a family history of cancer, he decided to remove the left part of my thyroid. The pathology report came back as a 1.1cm papillary carsenoma. Unfortunately my left vocal cord is as the doctor said being lazy, so speaking is quiet and leaves me breathless at times. I also have had a reaction to something they had put on my face while in the hospital cause my lower face and neck broke out in rash of some kind. I have had headaches every day since surgery. The doctor is not going to remove the other side at this time cause he said it would compromise my breathing and they think they got all the cancer. I am not going for an ultrasound till February to check the rest of the thyroid. As of right now, I don't feel well enough to go back to work and this I don't understand. Has anyone gone through the same thing ? Are the right decisions being made?

[bassmancan]

This is always a topic of debate. I, too, was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma. It was a single nodule on one side of the thyroid. My surgeon, who specializes in thyroid disease recommended total thyroidectomy, mainly because of the risk of damage to the laryngeal nerves every time you operate and also as more of a chance all of the cancer is caught and removed. It's something you need to discuss with your surgeon and/or endocrinologist. Hope this helps.

[kimmy654]

Did you have RAI? I have had another ultrasound and there are some nodules now on the right side. Largest measuring .7 cm. what do I do?