Thyroid Cancer Information

Question: thyroid cancer information? My mom is going in for a biopsy tomorrow...what is the chance of her having cancer in this lump she has??? Is there a website that I can go on to tell me the chances of it being cancer or the chance of death....?

Answer: She has a 99% chance the lump is NOT malignant. Thyroid nodules are very common in women, but if by rare chance she has it, this is the best website: http://www.thyca.org/

Question: i need information on thyroid cancer in English and Spanish. where would i be able to get both on Internet? i take care of my mother in law and she dont speak english, i dont speak spanish.she may have cancer of the thyriod and i need info in both so she can read about it also.i take her to the doctors and they also dont speak. spanish so it is up to me and my husband who tell her everything they say. i need a site that will give me info in both spanish and english so we can share this info together

Answer: National Cancer Institute provides information about Thyroid cancer in both English and Spanish: NCI: Cancer - English version http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/thyroid NCI: Información de cáncer en español http://www.cancer.gov/espanol http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/tratamiento/tiroides/patient/ MedlinePlus: Thyroid Cancer - English/Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thyroidcancer.html

Question: Possibility of Thyroid Cancer? My wife had an ultrasound about a month ago and (2) nodules were found on her Thyroid, (1) on each side. She followed-up with an Endo Doc today and Doctor did another ultrasound and said she also saw some calcification's around the nodules as well. My wife is a nurse and knows too much for her own good and is now freaking out, as she has a needle biopsy scheduled for December 5th. I have tried to explain to her that we will find out and take care of it regardless of what it is. Any words of encouragement or clinical information about Thyroid Cancer that could help ease her mind?? Patient Info: 28 Year Old White Female, No Family History, No Radiation Exposure, Only Medical Problems prior to Ultrasound is PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Answer: Well, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year (21 y/o), so I have asked many questions to all of my doctors (including an Endocrinologist) and here is what I have picked up. Nodules are extremely common in women, 50% of women over 50 have at least one. A single nodule (I had only one) is more suspicious for cancer than multiple nodules. 95% of thyroid nodules are benign, so her chance of having cancer is very small. I know there is an increased chance of someone with PCOS developing thyroiditis (autoimmune disease), and those people have a greater chance of getting nodules. Good luck with everything! I hope everything turns out fine!

Question: My Mom has just been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer...? Hello all, I'm 26 years old..and last night, I found out my Mom was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. We are not yet sure what stage or what type of cancer it is...but the Dr.s say it is very treatable. Even with this information, hearing my mother has cancer was crushing news. I am trying very hard to be patient, and I'm being supportive, willing to help my Mom with her appointments, or help her with anything I can do. I know she needs surgery, then needs treatments. My rational mind knows Mom has great chances to be cured. If she HAD to have cancer, this is one of the easiest ones to treat in early stages. My heart, though...is scared. I watched my grandma die from breast cancer...and I don't want to lose my mother...although I know there is nothing I can do to "fix" this. How long did it take you guys for the shock to go away after you found out a loved one had cancer? How long before the wavering between depression, shock and anger faded away?

Answer: I had a thyroid cancer scare recently, myself, and did considerable research while I was waiting for my path report to come back. You were dead on right when you said it is one of the "best" types of cancer to have. It is EXTREMELY treatable. There is one form, however (i.e., anaplastic), which is much more difficult to treat, and has a poor progonois. Fortunately, that sort is extraordinarily rare. Thryoid surgery is MUCH easier than it was in years past. The incisions are much smaller, and recovery much quicker. Be sure your mom has an EXPERIENCED surgeon. THis is very, very important. You can help on your end by doing some research to find out who, in your area, is the most skilled. She may need radiation treatment after that (and ongoing scans to make sure the cancer didn't metasticize elsewhere). You can help mom in advance by printing out (maybe even have it bound) the LOW IODINE cookbook. Get familiar with it, so you can have some suggestions for decent recipes. She's going to need this later on if she does, indeed, need the scans/radiation treatments. Be sure to visit thyca.org. They have PILES of info that will be helpful to you and your mom. What is probably going to happen, is that your mom will have a total thyroidectomy (even if the cancerous nodule is only one one side, this is the best route). She will be on thryoid replacements meds for the rest of her life (no biggie - MANY folks without thyroid cancer are on this treatment regimen, and live quite happily with no negative reprocussions). You mom is going to be OK. You can't "fix" it, but you CAN educate yourself about it, so you can help your mom prepare for the coming months. Hang in there, ~M~ You might be a little overwhelmed right now, so I'm going to bullet out three specific things you can do right now to focus your energy on being helpful to mom: 1. Research local endocrinologists and surgeons who have the best reputation for this type of surgery. 2. Go to thyca.org and read up. Become familiar with the probably next steps so you can help guide your mother. 3. Find a copy of the "LOW IODINE COOKBOOK" (there used to be a free copy at thyca.org, if I'm not mistaken). Print it out. Become familiar with and try out some recipes in advance.

Question: What are some possible symptoms of thyroid cancer (or even any kind of cancer)? I am a 23 year old female, I have quite a large goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) and I am worried that it may be cancerous. Please help if you can, any information would be truly useful and most appreciated.

Answer: I am 27 and was just diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. 80% of all masses (nodules) on the thyroid are benign. I actually didn't notice anything. How they found it was I became diabetic with both my pregnancies and the endocrinologist found it in an ultrasound. Then they did blood tests which came back inconclusive. The next step was a radoactive iodine to determine that it was a cold nodule and not a goiter like you have. The final step was an FNA (fine needle aspiration) to determine if it was cancerous. It was so I had a total thyroidectomy. I'm in week 3 without my thyroid. Waiting until 6 weeks so I can start the radiation treatment. Then I'll be on synthroid the rest of my life. Good news is that I feel good except for the off menstrual cycle and the tiredness. The scar is not large either. I really wish you well and hope that this is just a goiter. Most times medicine helps it or they'll just remove it. That is for a doctor to decide. Here is a website that I found most informitive when I was diagnosed.

Question: Thyroid Cancer-Second occurance symptoms? For anyone out there who has had a second bout of Thyroid Cancer, what were your symptoms? Or was it diagnosed during an exam? I have Pappillary. Please also list which type of thyroid cancer you have. I can't find any information on the web about second occurances.

Answer: 25 years ago I had thyroid cancer and lost the entire thyroid along with all parathyroids and the major neck muscle on left side. I had chemo,radiation an three more surgeries. last week I had surgery .after cat scan my doctor found one large tumour under the jawline...very embedded with scar tissue and several small tumors located in the left side of my neck. I am waiting for results... I would definetly suggest a cat scan if you are having troubles, it will detect tumours that can not be found during a manual hands on exam. I hope this might be a bit of help to you if not message me with any specific questions you have. regards......and best of luck to you.

Question: Thyroid Cancer Healing Time? My mother had both thyroid glands and a large mass removed all which was full of cancer. This was November 15, 2005. She underwent radiation treatments and is now cancer free. She is on thyroid medication. Still she has been having major memory problems. She lives about 35 minutes from my house. Last week she was on her way to my house and forgot where she was going. She goes to a senior citizen center once a week. Last week my aunt had to remind her how to get there 3 times. My mother is 59yrs old. This is becomming severly depressing for her. My question is could this still be affects from the cancer and treatments or does it sound like something else is going on with her? Does anyone have any information? Mary S the mass that was removed was cancerous as well. they treated it in conjuction with the thyroid cancer. Mary S the mass was cancerous as well and was treated along with the thyroid cancer. Alan~ Thank you for the info on thyroxin levels. I have been worried that perhaps this was nothing to do with the cancer. I am afraid that it may be an early onset of alzheimers. Sounds like the thyroxin level being low can show similar symptoms. She has had blood work done but because of the holiday weekend no info yet.

Answer: Low thyroxin levels can cause mental stupor as can dementia. And at least 5 yrs needs to pass before she can be considered probably cured .She needs to get checked out by a Dr.

Question: Need help (Thyroid cancer)? What is thyroid cancer? Do they have a cure for it? What does it do to you? How long does somone usually live that has this? Can somone please help me. Give me information please. Thank You!

Answer: go to www.thyca.org. there are 4 kinds. two have a remission rate in the 90% rate, the other two do not. I know people that have had it over 30 years ago. I had no idea I had it, and never was in any pain from it. I had surgery, had the thyroid out, had a radiation pill, and now am on replacement thyroid meds and I am fine. watch out for fake science crap. get the facts. good luck.

Question: thyroid cancer in pregnancy? Hi there i am a 28yr old female and 7-8 weeks pregnant. In around march this year i noticed a large painless mass in my lower neck and went to see my GP, the doctor had a look from the chair and said oh its just a Gotire and not to worry about it. so after a few weeks i decided to go back and see another doctor who had a look and a feel and decided to send me to a endo specialist. Waited 8 weeks to be seen by them. during my appointment the specialist had a feel and asked a few questions and then said that he thought the whole thyroid was swollen but more so on the left and decided he would send me for a ultra sound and write to me with the results. after my ultra sound i got the letter a couple of weeks later which said. it was a 4cm single solid nodule on the left lobe and they would need me back for a needle biopsy. I went back to see consultant on tues (8thsep09) and was sat down by 3 specialists. they explained that because my bloods were normal and because of the size and solidness of the nodule that there is a higher chance of it being cancer. They said the biopsy is not 100% and they want to do surgery to remove the left lobe in any case but are hoping to get some information from biopsy before they do... I should hopefully hear back next week with the results.. My concerns are I had to have emergency surgery 4 weeks ago due to a ovarian cyst and was told that obviously being put to sleep there was a chance that it could have affected the baby. I told them i was pregnant but they just said dont worry about that. which ob i am due to going to be having more surgery. they did advise that if it was indeed cancer that they cant give me radio iodine treatment until the baby was born... I am stuck deciding if i should refuse surgery till after the baby is born or go for it and hope for the best.... as u can imagine my mind is racing. not sure what to do and dont feel i have anyone to talk to regarding this Has anyone been in a similar situation or has any thoughts on what i should do or what they would do Regards

Answer: So was the biopsy inconclusive? Generally speaking, they will put off any kind of surgery if you are pregnant, and they would most certainly hold off on any radioactive iodine. The majority of thyroid cancers are slow growing, but your nodule is on the larger side (you only have one, right?). I think this is a hard decision that both you and your doctors must make. I highly suggest this site http://www.thyca.org/ you can contact people who have been in the same situation and help you decide. Good luck with everything.

Question: have a lump on my thyroid, need information? i have a lump on the right side or my neck, right where my thyroid is. i have a Dr appointment the middle of Feb that is when they could get me in. my sister any a aunt had cancer there and I'm very worried. i anyone has any information. plese lt me know thanks kelly wrachford

Answer: I am 30 and have advanced thyroid cancer. My life expectancy with this disease is still exteremly good. There is a self help test that you can do. Take a drink of water and look at your neck to see if the nodule moves. There are also uptake scans of the thyroid that can be done to see if the nodule is hot or cold. If you have further questions you can become a member of the sites that I am listing below in the sources. All members have had experience and can tell you about tests and what to look for. See listing below. Good luck Kelly

Question: Possible thyroid cancer in 12-year-old? My 12-year-old sister went to the doctors because of a visible lump in her thyroid region. So far, the diagnosis is that she has a tumor, although we are still waiting for the complete diagnosis, whether it is benign or malignant, etc. I'm just wondering that based on that information, what kind of diagnosis should be expected? What type of diagnosis would be typical for somebody that age with a tumor in the thyroid region?

Answer: Sorry to hear such news. - By experience we have had two family members have complete recovery with thyroid surgery with excellent results and no further complications [the surgery itself should not be a complicated thing]. - However, we lost one family member due to the wrong dosage/wrong medication. - My Point: Make sure you demand excellent medical care - Doctors are REPLACEABLE, but FAMILY is not! - Make sure you have at least a different examination done at three separate and unrelated clinics/hospitals and demand to see the scans [yourself and your family] and then make your own conclusions. I hope the tumor is not large or been in there for long. The sooner you can get it taken care of the better - because: 1. Nutritionally speaking - The thyroid is the door to the body. It regulates the metabolism, etc. 2. "Cancer" [tumors] have a way of sweeping through the body - the sooner you eliminate it the better! Remember that before and after any surgery your sister will want to enhance her immune system, because: 1. Cancer drains the immune system [not good]. 2. Surgery also drains the body, so you'll want to be supportive 3. Enhancing the immune system is best done with proper nutrition that is especially known for just that - enhancing the immune system. Have NO FEAR - be proactive and go after that tumor ASAP and support the immune system as well as be supportive for your sister. - Help her be happy [laugh, sing, play] - No anger [just not the right time]. NOTE: Cancer and tumors do not "just happen". Something must be done - consider what might have been the "reason" for it. Knowing this should help to find a solution - so that the tumor does not "regrow" and the cancer does not return.

Question: Can Any One help me find information about Radioactive Matireals transportation in ohio? I have thyroid cancer and the doctors say that all the only thing that could cause that is radioactive matireals and it being heraditary. we have found that it is not heraditry from my family and all posible soruces of radiation that i could find could not give me this cancer.

Answer: Call the Department of Transportation in Ohio. They know who keeps records of those things.

Question: Thyrogen injections for Thyroid cancer? has anyone had these treatments for a radioiodine injection and scan? I am having my first injection on monday and i have to do something quite important later that day. i'm wondering about any side effects....did you feel jittery or nauseous or anything else i should know about that might prevent me from going about my day??? any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer: I had thyrogen a couple months ago. I didn't have any side effects. The whole appointment took about 2 minutes and I went straight to work afterwards. Nausea is listed as a possible side effect, but it's a small % of people.

Question: Whatever happened with Erin and the vascular growth on her thyroid from last year? I am asking because now one of the growths on my thyroid has turned vascular and I cannot find any information that talks about vascular growths. All I can find are articles that talk about vascular growths in terms of follicular cancer. Are all vascular growths cancerous or not?

Answer: If the growth (nodule) has peripheral vascularity, it still can be benign “50 % of benign nodules have peripheral vascularity�. If the nodule has increased blood flow in the core of nodule, it elevates the CHANCE for malignancy.

Question: Normal Cancer marker numbers? I am a 26 y/o female who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2005, I had a total thyroidectomy and received RAI. I recently returned to my endocrinologist for labwork and was told my cancer markers came back at .5 - they told me the normal range was 20. what does this mean? is that good? i have an ultrasound of my neck this coming Tuesday, should I be worried about a reoccurance? my TSH was 79.44 and they increased my synthroid to 200mcg, any suggestions on websites with information? Any websites with help? Please, any help will be truly appreciated. thank you all in advance...

Answer: I'm a 21 y/o female with papillary thyroid cancer. I had a total thyroidectomy last July then RAI last Aug. My doctor use two tumor markers to check it the cancer is not coming back. Thyroglobulin's normal range (for someone with a thyroid) would be 0-55 Ng/mL. Usually when it is <0.2 it is undetectable, or no cancer cells remain. Yours is very close to that, so I wouldn't really worry. You should be concerned if it is 10 and above. Anti-thyroblobulin is also used and the standard range is 0-40 iu/mL. Anything <20 is great. I can tell you one thing, your TSH is way too high. Hopefully your new dose will fix that. I hope this helps! If you don't know about ThyCa already, here's there site (this link explains thyroglobulin) http://www.thyca.org/thyroglobulin.htm You can email them and ask them anything...they are very helpful!

Question: Is it safe to be around my dog after RAI treatment? I will be undergoing RAI treatment after I had a total thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. Is it okay to be around my dog? I know to avoid pregnant women and children for 8 days but the only answer I get from the doctor and my vet is to not let my dog lick or lay near my neck or face...does anyone know for sure the proper recommendations or where I could find the information? Thanks :-)

Answer: From what I am reading they recommend all people being atleast arms length distance away from you. Since the radiation is emitted from the neck area, your dog is more than arm lengths away as long as they are on the ground and not laying on you. Your dog should be fine, as the docs said, as long as they do not lay or lick your head or around your neck.