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Original poster

Thyroid cancer?

273 replies

Chocolatebuttonanyone · 18/07/2023 20:10

I have a nodule on my thyroid. Just been seen under a 2 week wait and there is a 20% chance its cancer.
Shit shit shit.
I know that means 80 percent that its not, but I probably need a hemithyroidectomy anyway.
I cant deal with this right now. I dont know what to do.

OP posts:
Verveine · 19/07/2023 12:20

Hi Chocolate

Sorry to hear this has happened to you. I can quite understand that you’re panicking, but I thought it might reassure you to hear that it might not be as bad as you think.

I had a thyroid nodule which did turn out to be cancer. It hadn’t spread and the only treatment I had was a hemithyroidectomy. I haven’t even needed to take thyroxine. Best of all, it was twenty years ago and I have had no further problems.

This is the worst time when you don’t know quite what you’re dealing with, but try to remember that the odds are on your side.

Wishing you all the best.

Zippedydodah · 19/07/2023 12:23

I have three nodules on my thyroid, one is quite large. None are cancerous and I’m monitored every 3 years.

Original poster
Chocolatebuttonanyone · 19/07/2023 20:58

Thank you both. I also have hashimotos so currently waiting for my thyroid to fail anyway.
I am a bit calmer and feelng more pragmatic now.
How was the fine needle aspiration? Not looking forward to it.
Verveine how long did it take you to get over the surgery?

OP posts:
June2008 · 19/07/2023 21:32

I was in exactly your situation nearly 12 years ago. It turned out to not be cancerous. My growth was large, under my collar bone and had pushed my trachea out of place so i had no choice other than to have it removed. It took a good few weeks to recover from surgery but mine was quite an extensive op in the end.

However, after surgery I've been fine. I take levo each day.

I had a number of fine needle aspirarions and don't remember them being particularly bad.

It was a scary time but I kind of made a pact with myself not to worry until I knew that I needed to worry, if that makes sense?

Happy to answer any questions!

toomanyleggings · 19/07/2023 21:47

I know it’s bloody hard. I’ve been on the two week pathway twice this year and convinced myself of bad news both times.
I think thyroid cancer is usually pretty treatable even if it is worst case scenario. My dad is in his 70s and had thyroid cancer 25 years ago. Never any recurrence after treatment. Hope everything is ok for you.

Odadada · 19/07/2023 21:50

Thyroid cancer is usually localised, to the extent that doctors debate whether it should even be called a cancer as it doesn’t spread around. So it’s one of the most treatable cancers.
When treated successfully it has minimal impact on quality of life.
I can imagine how stressful this must feel, hope you have a speedy recovery and hope it is not thyroid cancer in the first place! X

Rummikub · 19/07/2023 21:59

I had thyroid cancer.

The fine needle aspiration was ok. Sounds worse than it is. Mine was inconclusive so had surgery. It was a shock to hear those words. But after treatments it’s fine. Take thyroxine now.

It helped me to cope by pretty much trusting the consultants and taking things one step at a time

Verveine · 23/07/2023 15:17

Sorry, I’ve only just seen your question. It’s so long ago that I can’t really remember. I spent a surprisingly long time in hospital - maybe 4 or 5 days - but I expect they send you home earlier these days. I had a couple of weeks off work I think.

I’m glad you’re feeling a bit calmer and I hope everything goes well for you.

Jodie569 · 01/08/2023 00:09

Chocolatebuttonanyone · 18/07/2023 20:10

I have a nodule on my thyroid. Just been seen under a 2 week wait and there is a 20% chance its cancer.
Shit shit shit.
I know that means 80 percent that its not, but I probably need a hemithyroidectomy anyway.
I cant deal with this right now. I dont know what to do.

Hey, this was me last year! complete panic mode thinking the worse.... But soon as you have a scan they will tell you what they see and you will know pretty much the results. I only had an ultrasound and they said they could see two big clear cysts on each side, both benign. The only worrying thing is they said I wont be seen again and will have to live with it.

I can see this post was a couple of weeks ago hopefully it is good news!

Original poster
Chocolatebuttonanyone · 02/08/2023 13:21

Thank you for the replies. I am still waiting for the FNA unfortunately. Apparently only done on a Tuesday and there is a backlog. I just want to know one way or the other.
I am not very patient at the best of times!

OP posts:
Jodie569 · 02/08/2023 18:28

Hey OP sorry you are having to wait, hopefully you will have it done soon- have you already had a thyroid ultrasound?

nocoolnamesleft · 02/08/2023 19:47

Mine was cancer. Needed my thyroid out, and radioactive iodine. 5 years down the line the only way I know it happened is that I occasionally need bloods, and am on thyroxine every day. Cancer is an incredibly scary word, but the outcomes for thyroid cancer are some of the best out there.

GoddamReylos · 04/08/2023 23:11

I currently have thyroid cancer if you need anyone to talk to. FNA - lots of deep breaths! I found my lumps in 2019 and had to keep pushing for help. Finally diagnosed last year. Keep on at them.

poetryandwine · 05/08/2023 10:50

Cancer is so scary but as everyone says, you have an 80% chance of good news and thyroid cancer is not just highly treatable but highly curable. My uncle was diagnosed and had surgery over 40 years ago. He has been fine ever since.

I know all of our answers don’t do much to make the waiting easier bit I hope they help a bit. Best wishes

Original poster
Chocolatebuttonanyone · 21/09/2023 21:57

Thanks everyone. Just re-found my thread and thought I would update.
Had FNA from 2 angles as there is calcification in the nodule. It wasnt pleasant,mainly the pressure.
The results were indeterminate but I do know it was not due to lack of sample.
I havea hemithyroidectomy booked in a few weeks.

How are you doing @GoddamReylos ?

OP posts:
KnackeredandWiser · 21/09/2023 22:12

I'm so sorry OP but please don't worry to much. It is one of the most treatable cancers with an excellent recovery rate.

My DS had thyroid cancer which was caused by his earlier radiotherapy treatment, 20 years earlier, for a childhood cancerous brain tumour. We were warned about it so it was no surprise when it was diagnosed.

He had surgery to remove his thyroid and then had radioactive iodine treatment. That was back in 2017 and he is cancer free and is healthy and well.

Wishing you all the best for your treatment OP.

poetryandwine · 21/09/2023 23:38

I am also sorry, OP. But we have a 35 year survivor of thyroid cancer in my family so as much ad I am rooting for you, I am hoping you won’t need it. Very best wishes

poetryandwine · 21/09/2023 23:39

I can’t count at thus time of night. I was referring to that uncle I mentioned above

GoddamReylos · 22/09/2023 07:35

I’m alright thank you! Got the all clear from cancer recently and am now going through the process of getting my medication right. I’m still suffering the effects of RAI but that will sort itself in time. Or so I’m told by my doctor. Well done on getting through the FNA. That was the worst bit of the whole process for me!

Original poster
Chocolatebuttonanyone · 19/10/2023 21:35

Well looks like it is thyroid cancer, i just dont know what type yet. My consultant is away until next week but has seen the results and it has to go back to be discussed with the team. If it was nothing then it wouldnt need to go to the team as I could be discharged. That's my thinking

OP posts:
Rummikub · 19/10/2023 21:39

💐

it still might not be. I now it’s difficult but try not to worry.

I was told quite quickly it was.

GoddamReylos · 20/10/2023 17:52

@Chocolatebuttonanyone I had papillary carcinoma that had spread to some lymph glands. I think that’s the most common in women under 40 (assuming your situation!) I had so many questions and I really wish I’d had someone to talk to so do message me if you want to. The doctors were a bit dismissive in my experience.

Original poster
Chocolatebuttonanyone · 20/10/2023 18:36

Thank you @GoddamReylos
Its a weird situation to be pretty sure but not confirmed.
I am a "need to know" person so have been reading up and figuring things out. Its stressing out my DH as he is a "head in the sand" person.
I am 43. Hoping its papillary or follicular not anaplastic which has far worse stats.

OP posts:
stresshead38 · 09/11/2023 13:07

@Chocolatebuttonanyone I found your thread because I have just been to the GP today who thinks I have a thyroid nodule. I'm booked in for bloods next week and she's referred me for a scan.
I'm so scared

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 10/11/2023 16:41

Dh's was poorly differentiated follicular, didn't make it.

Years of FNA under ultrasound meant fuck all in the end.