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Thyroid cancer

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Hello- I had a left hemithyroidectamy about 3 weeks ago for a benign thyroid lump which was quite big and causing symptoms 5cm/4cm - I was since told on Monday that they found cancer after the biopsy of the lump. Next step is for the medical team to decide if they will remove the right side of my thyroid too. I was a bit shocked by the news when I was told and didn’t really ask any questions, but I now have some! Will I have other tests and scans to check that it hasn’t spread elsewhere, or will they just use the scans from before? Those scans and tests said it was benign, when it wasn’t- so just makes me question it. Will I have a say in whether they remove the other part of my thyroid or will that decision be out of my hands? Is it usual that I won’t speak to anyone until the next appointment with the consultant? (It’s not for a good few weeks) Thank you very much 

  • Hello and thanks for your post,

     I am sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand that it must have been quite unsettling to find out that you have thyroid cancer. 

    Often it is difficult to identify a cancer until the whole tumour is removed and the pathologist has had a chance to look at the specimen under a microscope.

    Your consultant may suggest further tests before they decide whether or not to remove the right lobe of your thyroid but any decision will be discussed with you. 

    Here is a few of the tests  that they may consider doing but you may have had a few of them already.

    Any discussions about further treatment will probably be discussed with a team of doctors including the pathologist, surgeon and oncologist.

    I am sure that the consultant will take it to account your opinion but it is important that you have the appropriate treatment for your type of cancer.

    You may be interested in the Butterfly cancer charity. They also have an online forum. You can see details of the charity here

    You have posted in 'ask the nurses' but if you post on another thread or start your own then you may find more responses.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best,

    Catherine

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    Hi, I am not a nurse, but I did have thyroid cancer. If it is necessary, you may have radio-iodine treatment after your thryoid is removed. After this, they do a scan that will tell fairly accurately if there is any cancer anywhere, but the most common forms of thyroid cancer rarely spread outside the neck, so the odds are very much against it spreading elsewhere. For papillary thyroid cancer, it is something like 1%-4% that spread outside the neck.

    And yeah, it is definitely usual not to speak with anybody for a long time. Because thyroid cancer is so rarely life-threatening, I think it often isn't treated as that big a deal by the doctors.

  • Offline in reply to MargaretMary

    Hi my friend who is a little quiet on the matter says she has thyroid cancer the size of her thyroid and having trouble swallowing but isn’t being offered to have it removed due to other factors would…but I can’t understand how the doctors arnt treating it if it’s that big and causing issues is this normal 

  • in reply to Polly19

    Hello, and thanks for posting,

    I can appreciate your concern for your friend.

    Unfortunately, it is difficult for us to give a specific comment, not being involved directly with her current clinical care. There may be reasons for not instigating treatment at the moment, or her case may be being discussed with other doctors.

    We have information on our website about thyroid cancer and its treatments. There are different cancer cell types of thyroid cancer, and treatments also depend on the stage (extent) of the cancer. Someone's overall health is also a consideration when doctors consider the risks involved, and how someone can cope with any taxing treatments. If her symptoms are becoming difficult, then encourage her to tell her doctor.

    I am sorry that we cannot be of more help on this occasion. 

    Please feel free to get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

    Yours sincerely,

    Vanda

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