Thyroid Cancer Support Group
Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. There are four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. If you or anyone you know and love is affected by thyroid cancer, join this community to lean on the support and experiences of others.
I've been having biopsies for 2 years now (I have Hashimoto Thyroiditis)..My last 2nd to last one was a year ago and my recent one was last week. The results showed that I have suspicious malignant looking cells. He is sending my slides in for a second opinion and I get the results on Friday. He said if this second opinion shows the same results as the first than I have to get my thyroid removed (I am 28 years old..wasn't expecting this so soon!!). Do they ever "confirm" these "suspicious" cells or do they just remove the thyroid and never confirm that its cancer? How does this work??
My ENT was prepared to remove only the right lobe of my thyroid because of "suspicious looking" nodules. They had all grown rapidly and started to grow together-- and looked like one large tumor. Because it was so vascular, they were going to just remove it instead of trying to biopsy, etc. They would then do the pathology AFTER removal.
I had a biopsy done on the LEFT side because I had a strange looking nodule there. BAM! Turns out positive for malignant papillary carcinoma. The only option now is to have it all removed. I go to another doctor today to have more ultrasounds done on the lymph nodes--if they are going to cut me open, they might as well get everything in one shot! :)
Long story longer: I think it is pretty much a last resort to have the thyroid removed. Because it causes so many problems, I believe that doctors would just as soon leave it in, if they can. At least that's how my doctor feels. She definitely made sure that it was, in fact, cancer before deciding on the TT. I believe that to be the case with your doc, as well...or he wouldn't have bothered to get a 2nd opinion ;)
Good luck in your journey...I'm crossing my fingers for you! :)
I feel weird being freaked out over Thyroid Cancer because people I know (none of which has Hashimoto or Thyroid cancer) keep on trying to make me feel better by saying "oh dont worry so many people get their Thyroids taken out..its normal to have that done" and that DOES NOT make me feel better. The "c" word is a scary word and I never thought I'd have to deal with that word in my 20's. Fine maybe thyroid cancer is the most innocent of the cancers (I keep being told that too "oh it's the cancer to have if you have to pick a cancer" but why would I pick a cancer to begin with!?!?) but its still cancer don't I have the right to be scared?
I haven't really hit that point yet, though. I am still in my "research" phase. I'm a bit of a control freak :)
It hasn't really digested yet. My father keeps telling me to be a little less happy. LOL! He thinks I should be in mourning or something! Not gonna happen...just yet.
That may change this afternoon when I go to the doctor.
I love this site and TyCa for all of the insight into this disease. It is a great diversion, too! :) I want to learn all that I can and take a proactive aproach to this hand I've been dealt.
If one more person tells me it's "the good cancer" I may explode, though!!! LOL! I agree with you--NO cancer is good cancer!
It IS a big deal to have your thyroid removed, and if someone tells you it is not, you may need to explain to them exactly WHAT a thyroid does, and why you cannot live without one!
:)
Thanks guys for your responses!
Yes everyone is different as i am one of them that my Drs can't understand why i am still going thru all this, I never had anything wrong with me until I found out i had Cancer, my whole Thyroid was removed in 1995(first ever 10 & 1'2 hours long) & years later Thyums tried to grow back had to have it taken out & then years later I lost my right kidney this was all found thru my full body scan's i go thru & many idione treatment's bone scan's MRI's Pet scans etc..... & since Jan i have been getting worse with sereve bone pain - chronic nausea - bowels some days it knocks me down & i can't get up at all - been throwing up more & more for 4 days at a time, just had Endocopsy done this morning was in E.R. in march & at family Dr almost 2 weeks ago.
I'm also on hold for 2 more lumps they have found & i have to see my Endco next month ,my meds have never been right & the Thyoridgolum number(didn't spell right) i am suppose to be 5 or below & everytime i get checked i'm way up in the 80's.
Yes you need to know your family history as my Dr needed to know & i didn't even know my mom & grandma was taking Thyroid meds until i came down with Cancer & i still don't know all of it as i lost my grandma.
Please let me know how your doing,I care & here for you.
Angel
I am waiting to see if I need RAI. Based off the size of my largest nodule I don't but my thyroglobulin level is still elevated so I am having more tests ran in a week to see where it is at. We shall see!!
:) Thanks you guys! I appreciate all your input.
How is everyone doing?
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