Thyroid Cancer

[paddyclampo]

Has anyone had any experience of this?

Have had part of my thyroid removed and am waiting on results. I had several biopsies of a thyroid nodule which came back clear / inconclusive (ie they didn't get enough cells) but the ultrasound showed some suspicious features.

[MyNewNormal]

Hi. I had papillary thyroid cancer 15 years ago. The primary tumour was tiny but had spread into most of the lymph nodes in my neck. I had surgery to remove those lymph nodes and thyroid then had radioactive iodine for two years (my cancer was a stubborn bugger!). The radioactive iodine was every few months, 1 week duration where I had to stay away from children and pregnant women (some of my sessions were in isolation unit). I was very fatigued during these times but in between sessions I was fine. I think prognosis for pap thyroid cancer is very good and I survived :)

Unfortunately, 15 years on, I now have colon cancer. But that's another story and am being treated for it.

[KatieKaye]

Two friends had this. OP to remove thyroid, 1 nuclear injection and then all clear. Both have to take thyroxin daily. Try not to worry! They both have no problems at all.

[paddyclampo]

Thank you so much for your reassuring replies :)

Do either of you remember how soon after the thyroid removal it was before the radioactive treatment?

Sorry to hear that you now have another type of cancer mynewnormal

[paddyclampo]

Thanks katie glad your friends are now doing well!

[MyNewNormal]

I can't remember actually. A few months? They needed me to recover from major surgery first as mine had spread. I'm on thyroxine daily for life and can honestly say my life has been absolutely normal since. In fact, once I got the all clear my life when into turbo mode - got my PhD, travelled, got a great new job, met my DH, had a child :-) Thyroid cancer is really treatable with good prognosis especially if certain kind if thyroid cancer (ask them take clarify which one you have if you have it).

[ELR]

My sil has just been diagnosed with this and according to her consultant, if you are going to get cancer this is the one to get as it's totally treatable!

[Verynovicegardener]

Hi Paddy,
I don't have any experience of thyroid cancer but wonder if you would mind sharing what your symptoms were?
I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and have recently had some swallowing issues, am concerned there may be something suspicious going on. My thyroid levels have just been checked and are ok however.
Tia
Novice

[paddyclampo]

Thanks again for such positive replies :)

Novice I developed a swelling in my neck that was very obvious when I swallowed. Also it kind of felt as though I had something stuck in my throat. My blood results were all normal, I think the called the swelling a nodule. It may of course be benign, but there was something on the ultrasound which said it needed further investigation.

[Offa]

Hi Paddy
I had papillary thyroid cancer 8 years ago diagnosed after a partial thyroidectomy for a large nodule. After the total thyroidectomy I waited about 2 months before radiotherapy - it was explained to me that they want the neck scar to heal well before further treatment. I do remember the worst thing about the whole experience was the waiting for results.

[paddyclampo]

Thanks Offa

I've been relatively chilled out up to now but now that my follow-up appointment is looming I'm starting to get a bit nervous. I know with a lot of other cancers they don't wait for you to get to your follow up appointment before you get the bad news, but I'm told that this is not the case with thyroid cancer.

Will just have to see what Monday brings but it's so reassuring to hear from others who have been through it!

[MyNewNormal]

Paddy just post on here and we'll be waiting :)