Hashimoto's and thyroid cancer--anyone have both?

[Babs16]

Hi,

I am wondering if there is anyone who was previously diagnosed with Hashimoto's then developed thyroid cancer?  And if so,  what was the timeline from diagnosis of Hashi to diagnosis of cancer and what, if any, where your signs and symptoms that led the doctor to test for cancer.

I was diagnosed with Hashi almost a year ago (normal TSH, high antibodies, only symptoms were fatigue, slight anxiety and irritiability).  

Thyroid slightly enlarged--First US showed an 8mm nodule left lobe and 6mm nodule (with coarse calcifications) right lobe--as well there was a 2.3 cm "normal appearing" lymph node on right side of neck.  Next US 4 mos later was unchanged except for left nodule increasing to 1cm.  Doctor not concerned.  No FNA ordered.        

For many years have had discomfort in the right neck area--often with scratchy throat and fullness in the ear.   Small palpable nodes off and on.  Nobody concerned.

Should I be concerned and insist on another US or further work-up??

Any stories/ advice welcome.

Thanks.  

  

[Nurseynurse714]

Hi Babs. I have Hashi's- just dx'd this year and am having many of the sx you mention (ears constantly stuffy, scratchy throat, palpable nodes). I never had allergies in the past, but seem to have developed them something fierce since this has all been going on.... not sure if the ear thing has anything to do with that or not. My initial u/s showed multiple nodules, antibodies very high, but TSH normal. The initial u/s showed an abnormal lymph node on the L. was enlarged and they stated that it appeared "normal" as well. Had a FNA which confirmed the diagnosis of Hashi's. My endo and the radiologist said that they will continue to follow periodically with u/s to monitor both the size of the thyroid and the lymph node as there is a correlation between Hashi's and thyroid ca, but neither quoted the exact percent chance of developing ca. I think I would insist on them repeating an ultrasound in a few months just to be sure. Good luck.

[utahmomma]

Hi Babs,

Sorry, short and sweet 'cause I'm in between millions of projects:   Here's my personal experience:
4 sisters - all with Hashi's, three with cancer, one pre-cancerous
daughter (then 16) with Hashi's, also precancerous
I had cancer, no Hashi's

We all have allergies and many have asthma with those allergies.

We only found out about the cancer accidentally.  I had a radial CT scan done for something unrelated which showed a nodule.  I asked my regular dr for an ultrasound, it showed complex mass, I decided to be aggressive . . . boom, cancer.  My youngest sister was in a minor car accident a few months later, a thyroid nodule showed on her chest x-ray, the biopsy was negative but she was uncomfortable about that . . . yup, cancer on the pathology.  The rest went in for ultrasounds and sure enough, all had suspicious nodules.

None of our allergies have changed whatsoever since the TTs and treatment - FYI

My opinion - you should really have those nodules, especially the one with calcification, watched and biopsied.

[Starr321]

Yes, I had/have Hashis, had nodules that came back normal with several FNA.  Doc was still worried because of the way they looked on US(something about it looked like there was increased blood vessels in the areas) so he recommended that I have a TT which I did.  Lo and behold, I had 3 very small areas of papillary thyroid cancer.  

I say change physicians if your doc is not a thyroidologist,--go to www.thyroidologists.com.

[Babs16]

Thanks for the stories and advice.

I guess I need to be more proactive and insist that my family doc refer me to an endocrinologist. I'm not keen to have a FNA but I would like to know one way or another.

I live in Canada so while universal health care is great, it means slower wait times and no opportunity to 'jump the queue' and see a specialist if you can afford to pay.  

Did anyone else have abnormally large lymph nodes?  

Thanks again.
Babs

[utahmomma]

Just remember, FNAs *may* show cancer but if they do not, it is not a guarentee that you don't have it.  It just means the needle didn't hit it or there wasn't a sufficient sample.

I have heard that Canadian healthcare is great (but slow) - try to get on a waiting list for an endocrinologist!  

You're here in good company.

[Ali6167]

Hi Babs, good topic to inquire about.  Check out this recent article published that delves a bit more into the topic and may hold some answers for you: http://erc.endocrinology-journals.org/content/21/6/845.full