Suspicious for Papillary Carcinoma

[C_Allen]

Well, I saw my doctor yesterday and the results of my FNA came back as suspicious for papillary carcinoma. My ENT says that a TT is in order and wants to get it done ASAP. He explained about the parathyroid glands and the risks involved with taking the whole thyroid at once. He also set me up with an Endo that will work with me on getting my dosages right after surgery.

I was hoping that some of you could share advice that will make this process easier for me. What should I expect after surgery and how long will recovery be? Also, is there a link between this type of cancer and any other and am I at a higher risk now for getting other types of cancer elsewhere?

Cathy

[MANmom]

PS, the answer is they won't know until they get it out and send it to the lab.

[MANmom]

The suspicous thing means that they found cells that are probably follicular and maybe have things like nuclear grooves that are suspicious.  For mine, it was that I had "benign follicular clusters", the fact that there were follicular cells and that they were clumping were a possible indication that something was wrong.  If your dad had trouble, I would have the TT.  I wouldn't even consider not removing the whole thing.  Put it this way, because you have nodules aon both sides, you will eventually have to have it removed anyway, get it done and move on.  They won't go away and at least you will have an answer.  Good luck.

[C_Allen]

In answer to MANmom, I have two nodules, one on each side of my thyroid and my father had a TT about 6 years ago. He had a biopsy that came back inconclusive, so they took half his thyroid only to find it was cancer and had to go back for the other half. My ENT said it would be best if he took the whole thing out at once because of the fact that their are nodules on both sides. My younger brother has nodules that his Endo said they would just monitor but it has been three years since they were found and he has no trouble at all. I told him to request a biopsy because of his family history.

I was curious about the FNA coming back as suspicous for papillary cancer. Does that mean I have it or that I might have it? The doctor was acting as though I had it but then said he was going to do a frozen section on it after he removes it.

To army wife, I am gaining more confidence with every success story that I read that i will come through this OK. It is so scary at first to think Wow, I have cancer! This board helps me to understand what is happening and what to expect and it gives me a place to go where other people understand my situation!

[MANmom]

Do you have multiple nodules or just one?  If you only have one, you probably have the option of removing only one side, that way if it is not cancer, you still have 1/2 of your thyroid, did the doctor suggest that? Either way, you should weigh all the options and follow the doctor's advice.  You can get a second opinion on the pathology, I would suggest that if it has not been done already.  I had 1/2 my thyroid removed, they could not tell me after FNA if it was cancer or not.  Turns out it was, and I had the second surgery.  The surgeries were pretty easy, I felt little or no pain, I was up walking in a few hours, and within a few days I was out walking two miles.  My best advice is get a great surgeon who does at leaast two surgeries a week, it is a very delicate surgery and you don't want someone training on you.  You don't want damage to the Recurrent Laryngeal nerve, and you definately want to preserve the parathyroids.

Thyroid cancer if you do have it is one of the most curable cancers (@ 98%, and papillary cancer is the most curable), so it usually is not associated with other cancers.  It can spread, though, sometimes lymph nodes in the neck are involved, but if you catch it early, the outcome is usually good.  Many of us live without our thyroids, when you get the right dose of meds, you will pretty much feel normal.  Regarding cancers anywhere else, if your cancer is isolated to the thyroid, you shouldn't be at any higher risk for cancer anywhere else, unless you need RAI...if you need RAI there is a greater risk of other cancers including breast cancer, but it is small.  I just had a mamogram, they are watching me closely due to my thyroid cancer.  I had a cyst, they did two mamagrams and an ultrasound to make sure it was not anything to be concerned about.  As long as you are informed and keep up on everything you should be fine.  

The only other thing I can add is that if you have sisters/brothers, you should have them get tested for thryoid cancer.  In my family, my dad had Hashi's as do I and two of my brothers (so far), my sister got tested after I went through the symptoms with her, she had papillary cancer, too.  My other sister has Graves and nodules and is being watched, she will probably eventually lose her thyroid, too.

[armywife92]

HI there. Maybe you can type in the search engine ''thyroid cancer'' and read stories of other BTDT's. I've read of countless success stories, even the ones that spread[which are rare]. I know you will do just fine!