Cancer Research UK main site

Thyroidectomy, 2 lumps removed - 1 thyroid cancer aged 28

redkites
Offline

Hi, 

I’m new to this and 3 days ago had a phone call from ENT about my histology results. I had an op 6 weeks ago to remove 2 lumps on my thyroid and hadn’t heard anything since so wrongfully assumed ‘no news is good news’. Had a phone call in work to ask about how I’m getting on after surgery, then the results - 1 lump was thyroid cancer. 

This was a bit of a shock and not the result I was expecting. I’ve been told the team have meeting every fortnight and I am to wait about the next decision. The lump was 6mm and now that it is out of my body it is less of a worry. But they will consider removing the other half of my thyroid and radioactive iodine. 

Anyone been through anything similar? It’s agony having to wait. I also have a 3 year old son and am worried sick if this could all go badly - I have read that thyroid cancer is quite treatable so that gives me hope. 

Do I need to worry now it is out of my body? Could I have more bad cells and not know?! 
I am also coming to the end of my contract at work in 3 weeks. If I start a new job it will affect my finances if I have to be off sick. 

any advice welcome 

  • Offline

    I had thyroid cancer five years ago and honestly, while nobody wants any form of cancer, thryoid cancer is really not life threatening in most cases. At your age, it has a survival rate of something like over 99%. And your nodule is tiny, if it's only 6mm. Mine was 10.6CM. So nearly 20 times the size. I think the odds of anything under 1cm being serious are even lower, to the point I've seen things online about how they should change the name so as not to scare people.

    The worst that is likely to happen is that if they take out the rest of your thyroid, there is a chance that it could take a while to get the medication right and you could feel tired or out-of-sorts for a while, as they are adjusting things and even that has the odds against it. I've read that happens to maybe 15% of people. In my case, I never noticed any difference at all and I think that is the most usual scenario.

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.