I have had 3 metastisis and we are looking for more right now - Mine only wnet through the lymph nodes so far and I think that is most common with thyroid cancer. I had 4 out of 9 lymph nodes in my neck come back positive and 7 out of 9 in my chest. I've had 2 surgeries and I will find out on Nov. 30 if I need more, which I think I will cause I watched the ultrasound of a "suspicious" node and it looked exactly like the others. They do not typically use external beam radiation on the thyroid cancer because it just burns too much tissue. I saw a radiological oncologist prior to my 2nd surgery to ask what she would recommend. Generally they treat with Iodine Radiation (RAI) and this is a large dose of radiation you swallow in a pill form. The reason is your thyroid cells absorb iodine very well. Generally you have to be quarantined for several days up to a week because you are "hot" during that time. The other thing the oncologist said they do, if the RAI doesn't work as well on a specific person, is they put a radiation "seed" in the area - it slowly releases the radiation to kill any remaining cells, but she said this is unusual for thyroid cancer. I would suggest to anyone with a "difficult" case such as yours and mine to see both their endochrinologist as well as a cancer specialist. The one I went to is at the local major cancer center and she really looked at a more "whole body" picture of me, listened to everything that's been wrong lately and is doing all sorts of tests the endo wouldn't even consider. I'd rather be sure than not know what is going on! I really felt more at ease and calm after seeing her - she is going to help me figure it all out from a cancer point of view instead of a endocrinology point of view.

I was diagnosed with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer back in Feb 07. I had a radical neck dissection on april removing all of my thyroid and 91 lymph nodes with only 25 coming back pos and only one stage one tumor. I have since recieved my RAI and have been cleared, but they said hot spots could pop up in the future leading to more surgeries.I am sorry that you have had to go through all of this. I will pray for you and hope that you do not have to undergo anymore surgeries.

I was recently diagnosed with a metastisis - and am waiting to see the ENT to decide if I need more surgery or another RAI.

I did find the link about alcohol ablation treatment which is currently only offered at Mayo (I think). The link is: http://www.mayoclinic.org/thyroid-cancer/treatment.html

I just found out I have another hot spot that is about 11 cm in size. The Endocrinologist was almost sure he felt it when he was palpating with his hands. I am bummed but it hasn't sunk in yet. Have had RAI X2 but how do I know it is even working if this crap keeps on coming back!!! I will pray for the 5 of us that seem to be in the same crappy boat together...

Amen to that! I am coming to a decission of not ever continuing to go through RAD or any other unnautural way of controlling cancer. I am coming around to believing it is the need of the body to releave itself of toxins that is the ultimate answer. Like next week they want to do a FNA ok all for that I will have the sh*t cut out since it is really close to my threa....but I refuse to subject my body to RAD or Chemo anymore I want another alternative. I want to play a more intense role that has more to do with clensing then killing! I maybe wishful thinking you know since it might turn out to be a type of Hodgkins, I mean what is the chances of that? I want to free myself of Doctors who promote the same program. Even if it kills me to do so.