maligant

[Ally1891]

I had my thyroid totally removed this past Monday. Went to Surgeon today and found out that the thymus(probably splled wrong is where the malignance is. Doctor removed it all BUT still wants me to have radiation and then maybe chemo. I was totally destroyed by this news. I can't stop crying. What is my quality of life going to be? Radiation & chemo is VERY rough and I am no spring chicken (58). It is my fault because I waited 5 years before i let them go in. Nothing showed that it was cancer just mutiple nodules
God Bless
Alice

[Smilerdeb]

I very much doubt you will have to have Chemo and as for radiation, it will be RAI (radioactive iodine) and that is a breeze compared to surgery.I have had both RAI and TT (RAI being first) and no side effects other than a hot neck that night.
I have a heart murmur and like you was worried but there is nothing to worry about. (I am 50 at the end of this year, so no spring chicken lol ).
Its a case of swallowing a pill and then getting your thyroid levels right.
Dont worry yourself too much Ally...you are over the worst and thyroid cancer is the most easiest cancer to treat.
All the best :)

[Ally1891]

I am sorry for the confusing. Yesterday was an aweful day. It is NOT the thymus. It is in the istmus( I spelled it wrong.)

[Rnrsq]

I'm confused. Your Thymus is located in your chest. Your last post states that the cancer is in the istmus of your thyroid.

[Ally1891]

Path came back as Papillary carcinoma in the isthmus. They took out complete thyroid and 16 nodules

[ChitChatNine]

Hi,  can you get a copy of the pathology report and post some of what it says .. that may help us give you our thoughts but keeping in mind we aren't doctors, of course.

What is the thymus ?  Is that the thyroid bed ?

What type of cancer?  Did it go outside the nodules?

Welcome to our community .. I know we can help you and glad you joined.

C~
Partial 1/07

[MANmom]

Alice, I am so sorry for the diagnosis, the Iodine therapy will work only on thyroid tissue, it is the only thing in the body that will absorb iodine, that is why it works.  If it is in the thymus, they must do other treatment.  Good luck!  How many nodules did you have?  I have 4, but just had three removed Tuesday, I am hoping for a good lab report.

[crystalthegr8est]

Oh, Alice. I am sorry to hear that, though I am surprised they want you to take chemo. I have heard that chemotherapy does not work on thyroid cancer, but maybe your doctor knows something else. It also seems odd that they would want you to do all these treatments without it being diagnosed as cancer. I would recommend you get a second opinion before starting any type of radiation, just to be sure. I was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer after they removed my thyroid and about 21 lymph nodes in my neck at the same time. The entire thyroid and 14 of the lymph nodes can back as papillary carcinoma and I will have to have the radioactive iodine treatment, but I don't know if I need to have anything else. Keep your chin up, sweetie! All is not lost and you will recover. :) Keep us posted on your situation. :)

Crystal