Did they do an FNA? What did it say? What type of cells showed up? Keep in mind that Thyroid Cancer has extremely high cure rates and usually is NOT like Breast Cancer. I totally hear your concerns and being pregnant is so stressful!

Are they suggesting surgery? Synthroid for supression until surgery?

I'm sure others will jump in to help, too, but saw your post and wanted to say hello.

MaHenHere
Papillary Micros Partial Thyroidectomy 1/07
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/73

Thank you so much for your reply and thoughtful advice. I did have a FNB done and the findings were as such: atypical follicular cells seen with nuclear enlargement, grooving and irregularities of nuclear contour. The findings are consistant with papillary carcinoma. I am in the process now of finding a reputable ENT or Endocrinologist in my area which I am finding is a anxiety produced task. I don't even know where to start.

There is a great website on the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NY City about their Thyroid Ctr and it lists how to choose the right surgeon. It's 2nd or 3rd on the list of resources that I"m going to post for you to help:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=62

Perhaps, too, you can have your Dr ask the pathologist when they say "atypical" if they are "atypical suspicious" or is it Cancer? Mine were atypical follicular cells and turned out to be a benign follicular adenoma .. in English .. overgrowth of the thyroid.

Not to make light of it .. but you may want to have somebody speak with the pathologist directly.

I e-mailed mine and he gave me the actual odds for my particular case.

He also told me that atypical nodules have a 25% chance becoming cancer if they are not already. That was in my case. but wanted to share.

Ck out the article entitled NY Thyroid Center
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Thyroid-Disorders/NY-Thyroid-Center--Very-Informative-Website-for-Thyroid-Conditions-Surgery/show/89?cid=62

Anxiety .. ahhh .. I became addicted to Yankee Candles as I waited for my surgery. I needed to remain calm and not let my mind wander too far.

MaHenHere

Hi! I've just had a complete thyroidectomy as I have/had papillary carcinoma. My brother-in-law is a surgeon in Canada and he emailed me and told me that if you have to choose which cancer you get then this is the one!... as it has such a high rate of a complete cure!

I think that the first few weeks are fraught with worry, but until you have a good long chat with your pathologist and/or endocrinologist you will just be worrying unnecesarily. I saw my surgeon and my oncologist on Thursday and now feel so much more confident of a total cure after a really good long chat. Before that my mind was just running riot!

I was told that some people have papillary cancer and are unaware of it and live to a ripe old age, so it does seem to be the "kindest" of the cancers. The plus side also is that treating it is not nearly as invasive or extreme as for some other cancers.

I'm sure it must be doubly worrying for you as you're pregnant, but I'm sure your doctors will look after you very well.

Good luck with finding an endocrinologist, sorry I can't give you any advice, but I live in the Isle of Man and we are linked to the NHS in the UK.I hope all goes well with you over the next few weeks, stay strong and positive and remember that this is a very treatable/curable cancer.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I will definitely put a call into my pathologist to get the full picture. How was the recovery on your surgery? Also did they do a full thyroidectomy or a partial. How big was your nodule? I am a bit confused as to what is large..small or really large??

Hi again!
I had a partial thyroidectomy and when they tested the nodule it was benign, but the thyroid tissue itself had malignant cells, so 3 weeks later I had to go back in to have the rest of my thyroid gland removed. I came home after 1 day with the first surgery, but stayed 2 days the second time and I also took my pain medication religiously which helped immensely! I didn't take my pain meds as religiously first time and I was quite uncomfortable. My nodule was in the region of 3 x 2.5x 2 centimetres but I don't know whether this is small or large. It's now 3 weeks after my second operation and I feel so much better although I do get quite tired.

I hope you're able to get some good feedback from your pathologist as I'm sure that will put your mind at rest.

Bye for now and I hope you make good progress with finding an endocrinologist!

I have made some appts up at sloan kettering in NYC. I feel like I was just up there with my mom.....well in reality I was. I am just so terrified and just want to turn the page to the next chapter if you know what I mean. Where did you do your surgery at?
Melissa

Hi melva1,
I just under went a total thyroidectomy and now am facing going through RAI next week. They found that the cancer had spread alittle to the surrounding lymphnodes, so they want to kill that with the RAI therapy.
(just when i thought i was out - they pulled me back in!) :)

Anyway, i was pregnant as well when i was diagnosed. It is common that it happens like that since the thyroid often swells. I am sorry that you are undergoing all of this.

I saw an Excellent Surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Honestly, you can hardly see the scar for just having the surgery... If you want his name and number, write me and i will give you all his information. He is renowned and the nicest guy.. Cute too! :)

Anyway... if you need any support - i was just there.. so ... i am here for you!

- Christine

Christine,

Thank you so much for your response. I would appreciate your doctors information. How old are you and when were you first diagnosed?

Melissa

Hi Melva, my obgyn noticed the nodules in my neck when i was preggo, i had an ultrasound and was then sent to have a biopsy, from then on i had a partial lobectomy of the right lobe and afterwards was dx with follicuar thyriod cancer...the drs told me that its highly cureable, like the comment above me said the dr also said that if i had to pick a cancer to have this one would be it b/c of how cureable it is...good luck with things

Hi there,

I had was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in August. Had a TT in August and RAI in October. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer what I can. A good website to check out is www.thyca.org.

Just so you know I had the same kind, papillary and it is slow growing and very Curable, not just treatable but curable. I know you'll be able to get through all of this. I am sorry it is happening to you during a joyful time in your life with expecting a baby.

Please message me if you have any particular questions. I am happy to help.

melva i was just diagnosed too with pap thy cancer. its so scary isnt it? but we are going to get through this. i have my surgery scheduled for Dec. 23rd. its going to be a quiet Christmas but my family understands. i live in NY and will be going to Sloan Kettering cancer center for the surgery. i had to find my own doctor too. that was very stressful. i just kept doing research on the computer and i also got a couple of names from the pathologist. best of luck to you.

Thank you guys so much for giving me some insite to this scary time in my life. It wasn't even two years ago that I lost my mother to breast cancer and 6 years ago we lost my mother in law to ovarian. I am as well going up to sloan kettering next week for my first appts. Who is your doctor up there? I am seeing Fagin first and then shay a few days later. I am definitely scared and just want to get through this. I have 2 young daughters as well as one on the way. It does feel good to know I am not alone and that other people understand what I am going through. Thanks again.

Brielle.....Did they do the surgery when you were pregnant or did they opt. to wait? Or did you have a choice??

Yes. NY Presb. Hospital comes with very high acclaim! I go there for to see a world reknowned Urologist. They treat you like a person there, not a number even though it's in a very large City. It is really amazing!

MaHenHere