Biopsy Results

My fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results for Nov. 2007 and June 2008 came back "inconclusive".  The next FNAB was scheduled for Nov. 2008, however the endocrinology dept. contacted me to say they were referring my case to a surgeon based a review of my ultrasounds (which show micro-calcification), my medical history of radiation exposure along with my age (54) and gender - male.  I have since seen the surgeon and he is waiting for me to decide if I want a TT.  If so, it will be a 3 - 5 month wait.  The surgeon was very re-assuring about the procedure citing low percentage risks of bleeding, infection or even a lower risk of permanent voice damage.  Yes I would have to take medication for the rest of my life and maybe have the RAI treatment depending on pathology results.  I see my GP today and will reach my decision regarding the surgery.  Actually, I don't feel I have a choice to make; it has to be done. 

The thought of a TT rather upsets me.  I am experiencing anxiety like I never have before.  From what I have read, most TT's go very well.  My biggest fear is that after the procedure, I might gain weight.  Perhaps I am being petty..... All in all, it would be so much nicer if I didn't have to deal with this at all.

Sorry for being long-winded.

MarkR   

Hi there.  It sounds like a good idea to just get it out.  Better safe than sorry.  As for the weight gain, I wish I could give you better news on that.  I have gained 30 pounds since my TT in Dec. of last year.  I have been trying to loose it, but it is not coming off the way I would like it to.  With that said it is a small price to pay for me to be here with my husband and children for many many years to come.  They love me even with 30 extra pounds, and a scar across my neck.  I am here, and that is what is important.  Good luck, not everyone gains weight.  I am just one of the unlucky ones.  The surgery itself is not bad at all.  Skylog

 

On 7/17/2008 MarkR wrote:

My fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results for Nov. 2007 and June 2008 came back "inconclusive".  The next FNAB was scheduled for Nov. 2008, however the endocrinology dept. contacted me to say they were referring my case to a surgeon based a review of my ultrasounds (which show micro-calcification), my medical history of radiation exposure along with my age (54) and gender - male.  I have since seen the surgeon and he is waiting for me to decide if I want a TT.  If so, it will be a 3 - 5 month wait.  The surgeon was very re-assuring about the procedure citing low percentage risks of bleeding, infection or even a lower risk of permanent voice damage.  Yes I would have to take medication for the rest of my life and maybe have the RAI treatment depending on pathology results.  I see my GP today and will reach my decision regarding the surgery.  Actually, I don't feel I have a choice to make; it has to be done. 

The thought of a TT rather upsets me.  I am experiencing anxiety like I never have before.  From what I have read, most TT's go very well.  My biggest fear is that after the procedure, I might gain weight.  Perhaps I am being petty..... All in all, it would be so much nicer if I didn't have to deal with this at all.

Sorry for being long-winded.

MarkR   

Your results seem very much like mine.  I went a step further and had the core biopsy.  It was very uncomfortable because of the calcification and gave the same "inconclusive but suspicious" results as the aspiration biopsy.  I had the TT in March.  The operation was not bad at all.  Make sure your surgeon has done alot of these surgeries; that is very important.  With those results I don't think you really have any options.  Your surgeon will be able to tell if there is cancer and if it's spread at all. 

If it has not metastasized out of the neck and thyroid area, don't go hypo in prep for RAI.  Use thyrogen instead.  You don't go off of meds and cut your chances for gaining weight since you're never hypo.  If you endo keeps your levels right, you may actually lose weight. 

The entire procedure is not as difficult as you are believing.  Some patients suffer side effects, but most don't.  It's worth it all to know you've taken care of the cancer and you can live your life without the fear that it's lingering inside of you.

Take it out, go through the procedures...you'll be doing the right thing.

Hi,

 I was the same way - very apprehensive about having to have surgery.  But I had to do it,  The other altenative was to risk having cancer.  I even got a second opinion and the doctor told me that even if it wasn't cancerous, my thyroid wasno obviously not normal and that the nodules would just keep growing.  So I had it taken out and it was cancer.  Glad I did it.  The surgery wasn't bad.  After I got out of the hospital, it was kinda like a vacation.  Didn't have to go back to work immediately and I really didn't feel bad, so I spent the time shopping, relaxing, etc.

As for the weight gain, I think that most people who gain weight are the ones who weren't active in the first place and who dont watch what they eat to begin with.  I was back at the gym one week after surgery and I was even at the gym during the time I was off medicationa dn was on the LID.  I always watch what I eat and that didn't change just because I had thyroid cancer.  I look and feel the same now.  Once your medication is regulated, your metablosim will back to normal, so there really is no reason to gain weight.

 

Hi!  "ditto" to the remarks above.  I actually lost weight over the course of surgery (4/07), Hypo-Hell (which you don't have to do anymore through the miracle of thyrogen), RAI (6/07), and regulation of meds.  Granted, I ended up REALLY hypo before RAI and my stomach was a mess because of it so really wasn't eating much.  That being said, of the 15lbs I lost, I've only put 5lbs back on and its been over a year since TT.  FYI - I'm a 52yo women and was 25lbs over weight to begin with.  You do not need to expect to gain weight through all of this.....it clearly happens to some but it isn't a given!  For me....surgery was a piece of cake....hypo hell was just that.... the return to "normal" took several months, but I only missed 2 weeks of work through it all!  Good luck and keep us posted!  SUE

 

On 7/18/2008 Annav wrote:

 

As for the weight gain, I think that most people who gain weight are the ones who weren't active in the first place and who dont watch what they eat to begin with.  I was back at the gym one week after surgery and I was even at the gym during the time I was off medicationa dn was on the LID.  I always watch what I eat and that didn't change just because I had thyroid cancer.  I look and feel the same now.  Once your medication is regulated, your metablosim will back to normal, so there really is no reason to gain weight.

 

Well, I was and still am very active.  I also watch what I eat every day.  I have always been and still am a healthy person.  The problem is it takes so long to get those meds adjusted that I just lost my metablism for a while.  Now, I am trying so hard to loose this weight.  So, to say the people that gain weight are the ones who eat poorly and are not active is not true.  Good for you to be lucky enough not to have to go through the weight gain.  I wish I was as lucky as you.  Skylog