On 2/16/2008
theme wrote:
On 3/25/2007 Seashore wrote:
I have recently had FNA of a cold thyroid nodule [also recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism] that is suspicious of papillary cell cancer. My TT is scheduled in a month.
Hi,
The thyroid cancer I have is associated with Hyperthyroidism as well and the doctord told me they never encounetered a case like mine with hyperthyroidism TSH 0.01 and thyroid papilarry cancer as well. I had the needle one week ago. I will be scheduledt to thyroid extraction when the hyoerthyroidism will get better - but the doctors said it could take a month, two ro three months - I cannot wait to see the cancer extending.
Would it be a solution to have I131 Radioactive Iodine before the surgery in order to have the surgery sooner ?
Please give me any opinion, I'm kind of desperate over the situation.
Thank you.
I understand your stress and anxiety. Now that it has been almost a year since my diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer and 10 months since my surgery, I am much calmer. It was 7 weeks from the time of my needle biopsy to the time of my total thyroidectomy. The reason it was 7 weeks was because I wanted the most experienced thyroid surgeon in the Atlanta area and I had to wait for an opening in his surgery schedule. During this 7 week period I was on medication to slow down my hyperthyroidism. Yes, before surgery can be safely done, the gland needs to be less hyper. Most important for you to remember is this type of cancer grows very, very slowly and any cells left behind after surgery or spread to other body parts are very treatable with RAI. This cancer has a very, very high rate of cure.
I am a nurse and have never seen a hyperthyroid gland with cancer treated with radioactive iodine to slow the gland befor surgery. I've only seen it used to destroy a hyperthyroid non malignant gland instead of doing surgery. Ask your doctor about this.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/thyroid/Hea
Check out the above web site for the National Cancer Institute. You will want to read the info for patients and professionals. Also, check the American Cancer Society web site.
Good luck to you. Read as much information as you can find. I hope you can have your surgery in the next month or two. Try to remember these are slow, slow growing cancer cells. They are not growing and spreading rapidly.