Thyroid surgery

[beachgirl929]

I had u/s in April and had a possible nodule on right side, 28mm, bloodwork all normal.  Just had another u/s and the nodule is very prevalent, now 35 mm, highly vascular, can look at my neck and see it.  Having some problems w/swallowing.  My endo didn't do biopsy, bc it is so vascular, and recommended having thyroid out b/c it is growing and could press against trachea.  Left thyroid now has cyst that wasn't there in April.   My mom passed away from thyroid cancer spreading to lymph nodes and was advised she could pass this gene to me.  This is another reason he suggested getting entire thyroid removed.

Is the nodule growth of 7mm in 6 months to be a concern and could it be cancer?

Thank you.

[utahmomma]

We don't have any genetic link that can be found.  Papillary carcinoma isn't supposed to be genetic (as opposed to medullary which can be tested for MENI and MENII).  My entire family is in a genetic study with the University of Cleveland but, for the past 4 years, they still can't find anything.  There are only 7 of us families world wide who they are studying but they can't find a gene.  :-(

My daughter was 16 when she had her thyroid removed.  My son has had his scanned yearly since he was 11 (and he is still nodule free).

My son's pediatric endocrinologist has a case of a family with medullary thyroid cancer and they were preparing to have their 3 year old's thyroid removed.  The 3 year old tested positive for the gene, had two suspicious nodules, and his mother, uncles, and grandmother had all had medullary carcinoma.  :-(

*IF* you have medullary *yes* get your kids (grand kids, siblings, cousings, etc.) checked.  The ultrasound is a very non-invasive technique.

Hopes, prayers, and blessings for your surgery.  Please send me a PM when you get home from the hospital and let me know how you are.

HUGS

Utah

[beachgirl929]

To:  Utahmomma

Please tell your sister congratulations!  What a huge blessing!  Thank God that you and your sisters have been cancer free the past three years.  Did ya'll get tested for the gene that can be passed down?  How old was your daughter when they found hers?  Depending on my diagnosis (which I am praying the nodule is benign), I may talk to my endo about getting my daughter and two sons tested for the gene.

My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 3rd.  I'll keep you posted and thank you for your concern.

Have a very blessed day,
Beachmomma

[utahmomma]

Other than a slight setback recently thanks to some GI problems keeping me from absorbing my thyroid meds, I've actually had a pretty easy road of the thyroid issues.

I did have a cancer recurrence two years after my 2nd surgery but that was treated with radio-iodine.

My youngest sister had three recurrences with distant metastases to her breasts, liver, and stomach.  She had three doses of the radio-iodine.  Six months after that last dose she got pregnant for the first time.  She is now the mother of two beautiful, healthy (!!!) little girls.

For the past three years my entire family has been 100% cancer free - because we were all aggressive and got the thyroids out at the earliest possible time then the two of us who needed it got the radio-iodine treatments.

Please, keep us posted on your surgery, diagnosis, and treatments!!!

My best to you!!

Utah.

[beachgirl929]

MANmom;
I have Hashimotos and have been taking synthroid for a few years now.  Been very blessed that I only take .025 mg.  What kind of cancer did you have, when did you have surgery and what type of treatment did you have?

Thanks for your concern.

[MANmom]

I agree with Utahmomma...RUN to the doc.  My friend's mom also died of thyroid cancer, it grew rapidly and was medulary.  GET IT OUT!  You can do just fine without a thyroid.  My labs were also all fine, except the TPOab, which suggested Hashimotos, but I still had cancer...the thyroid blood tests do not tell you anything in regards to cancer.

[beachgirl929]

To: Utahmomma

Thank you.  Have no idea what type of thyroid cancer my mom had.  It grew pretty quick.  Wow, you have been through it with your thyroid.  How are you today?  

I have appt. w/surgeon tommorrow to schedule the surgery.

Again, thank you for your comment!

[utahmomma]

Yes!  The size nodule (3.5cm is a very, very large thyroid nodule), the very rapid growth, normal labs, the vascularization, and your family history . . . *run* and get it out - *ALL* are warning signs that it is cancerous.  

There isn't even a need to question this - especially since it killed your mother!

What type was it - medullary?!?!?!

Please, don't waste time, schedule the surgery.  As cancer surgeries go, it is a relatively easy one (sure easier than my abdominal surgeries) and the treatment is much more effective than for many other forms of cancer.





Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04, recurrence and RAI '06
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrences/distant mets/three doses of RAI); another sister and daughter with precancerous thyroids (all removed)