Thyroid Cancer Survival

Question: Question about Follicular Thyroid Cancer? I just found out my mom has had this cancer, and can someone please explain to me exactly what this means: "Pathology is key in predicting survival. Tumors with microscopic capsular or venous capsular invasion have cure rates in the 99% range. Cancers that can be recognized by the surgeon have a 10 year cure rate in the 40% range." Does this mean that if it is recognized by the surgeon, the chances of healing completely are 40%?

Answer: Please, Please Please go to www.thyca.org and also join the yahoo health group thyca@yahoogroups.com. the first is the national site for thyroid cancer and they will give you so much great and accurate info. the second is a discussion board where you can learn more about optimising your mom's treatments and helping her. Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common. Papillary is the first. and they can be combined too. it all depends on how far things have moved along, and with any cancer, the earlier it is found the better. it is slow growing and can usually be treated by surgery first and then (following a low iodine diet for two weeks before hand) swallowing a radiation pill which kills thyroid cancer. I had a thyroidectomy (known as a TT) and it was a very easy recovery. if it has spread farther, some people have to have alot of lymph nodes removed too. then we stay on suppressive doses of synthroid (never a generic) and get tested yearly. some people even say it is the best cancer to get...(I say if it is so great than they can have it!) but there is really great info out there, and also some bogus stuff...and some doctors are great at explaining things and some not. she needs an experienced surgeon in thyroidectomies and she needs an endo for afterwards who does know his arse from his elbow in thryoid cancer too. it has been since may 07 when I had my surgery, and I feel really great now, and my 1 year scan was clear. Please go to those sites and learn all you can (her too, since she will be the one going to the doctors) and feel free to join the yahoo group...it is great, and I will see you on there! (also, the mayo clinic has a good site)

Question: Thyroid Cancer...? My dad was just told he has Thyroid Cancer. They are going to remove his thyroid and lymthnode and he was told he would have about a 95% survial rate. As wonderful as it is to have such a high survival rate he will however most likely be unable to ever speak again. What can we do to help him through this and how can we as a family communicate with him? Also, how to I help my little ones, (6,5,3,& 6 months), understand what is taking place with grandpa. He's a fun loving 64 year old grandpa and they LOVE him so much! I just need them to understand why Grandpa isn't answering them without scaring them. Thanks in advance! They have to remove part of his vocal cord as well as the lymthnode. He was told that normally Thyroid Cancer sticks to just the Thyroid but in his case it went to the Lymthnode as well and has affected his vocal cords.

Answer: First of all, big hugs to your Dad and your family. No matter how treatable the cancer is, it's still "The C word" and scary. A good way to explain to little ones is to be honest with them in an age appropriate way. When I had my 4th surgery (I had mets throughout my neck and into upper chest) we told our almost 2 year old at the time "that mommy's body wasn't working right and we need to have the bad stuff taken out. The bad stuff is called cancer." We were careful to not use the word sick since that is a word that covers lots of ailments (colds, flu, chicken pox, etc) and didn't want to confuse him when he got a cold and sick. I would also be sure to tell the kids that Grandpa's voice might not be working so well and we'll have to find new ways to understand what he is saying, but he can still understand us so it's important to talk even when he can't answer. A small white board may be a good way to help him communicate. A couple of good site you and your Dad may want to visit: www.livestrong.org www.thyca.org LIVESTRONG