Cheek Swelling And Cancer Marker

I had a 2nd RAI treatment in March and now in August my salivary glands in my cheeks are swelling up and very painful.  My endocrinologist says this is okay and should go away.  I can taste a salty fluid and she says this is the iodine from the radiation treatment.

 Also, she says my cancer marker is up around 5 and is recommending me to a surgeon. She says radioactive iodine is useless at this point. She says the cancer is possibly microscopic and is ordering another PET scan before I see the surgeon.

Could the marker test be misguided? I am scared to have some kind of disection surgery. 

What kind of thyroid cancer were you diagnosed with??  I understand there are a few types such as those with a follicular component or subtypes of papillary cancer that may not uptake the iodine as well in addressing this disease.  This may be what is happening.  I will have to have additional surgery in the neck region to address a positive lymph node after RAI to see how well it works in my situation and to address the more common variety of papillary.  No one wants more surgery but it is important to deal with the disease.  Once you get your results and you need to see a surgeon, discuss the procedure that is being recommended and also seek a second opinion.  There are different opinions regarding the extent of surgery in different cases.  As for the cheek swelling.  I've been told to expect this as well after RAI.  If it occurs to drink plenty of water and massage the jawline from the ear out to help release this pocket that can form.  Hope this helps!

I was diagnosed with follicular and papillary cancer.  The thyrogen injection test already showed there is no more uptake with the "thyroid" cancer cells, so I need a PET scan to find the cancer lesions. 

 My 2nd RAI pill was around 250, a massive dose, and this is what is still being expelled in my body. 

So now it is another PET scan and then a visit to the surgeon at Duke Medical.  We'll see what the PET scan finds this time.