My thyroid cancer has spread....

I DO know that you can only have "so much" radiation in a lifetime and once the max dose has been given to you to fight the metastasis, you can't have anymore of it. Other treatments have to be considered. Also, while reading other posts here, I encourage you to seek out other doctors even if youve had a history with one already.

My 29 yr. old daughter was told she had an enlarged thyroid and multiple nodules two years ago. They said "we'll just keep an eye on them."
Two years and a new baby later, she has a huge 5 cm mass on her right lobe along with other nodules and then multiple smaller nodules on the left lobe.

She couldnt get in to see an endocrinologist for a month in one office and then over two months in another place. I wouldn't settle for that so I called the cancer centers of America and we're getting her flown into their facility most likely in Zion, Illinois.

I agree that even after massive testing, you cant possibly aspirate all the numerous nodules in the thyroid like in my daughters situation. Multiple needle biopsies may still come back negative.
Because the mass on her right lobe is so large, and her left lobe is also infected with multiple nodules, her thyroid will have to come out anyways regardless of diagnostics. she's having trouble swallowing and has pain in her neck and ears.
These great people are getting us in to see a doctor in only a few days time instead of getting the brush off in these other offices where they cant seem to be bothered with a woman with a large mass in her neck.
Always, always, always never give up seeking help if youre not satisfied with the way your treatment is going. It only took one afternoon to get this accomplished with the CTCA when no other office would allow her in for an appt sooner then a month.

Anyones anxiety level would be insane by that time. Hers was already bad and only a couple of days had gone by after her ultrasound results came back. Also, her GP woulodnt tell her a darn thing except get to a endo fast and that he was very worried about that large mass. Well duh!

She believes her lymp nodes are already involved because she can feel it. She also knows she's had an enlarged thyroid for at least 7 years. After reading a few of these posts it really seems that thyroid cancer in 20 something women in on the rise and that even papillary carcinoma can be life threatening.
I'm sincerely hoping that this 3 tall and 5 centimeter wide mass she has isnt cancer but we wont know until the entire thyroid is removed and sent off to pathology.

Why did they wait 3 months to remove his thyroid after the cancer diagnosis?

How are you doing today Sam? My brother has thyroid cancer and I just came across your message. My prayers are with you and your family!

Suggest you get a copy of Dr. Brownstein's book, Iodine, because he's all over thyroid cancer. Also look for online blogs involving him and others who are discussing his book.

He is speaking nationwide to doctors on the subject of rampant thyroid issues, including cancer.

hollandann wrote:

jem5548 wrote:

My son at the age of 17 was diagnosed with Graves Disease and Hyperthryroidism -after 10 months of meds we went for a second opinion after he himself went for a sports pyhscial and his heart rate was through the roof as well as his lab work ( still was showing that meds were not working) 

In Oct 2010  he was diagnosed with  Papillary Thyroid  Cancer

Jan 2011 Had a total Thyroidectemy

March 2011 had I 131 Ablation

April - May 2011 Had a CT Scan with Contrast- had another FNA Done  showed He had more Cancer all on right side of neck- Pathology Results came back all cancer  - 

June 3, 2011  had second surgery- they removed 3 tumors , a juggler vein and 18 lyphnodes  ( 6 of which was postive for Cancer)

He Just had his 2 treatment of I 131 again , and we have doctors to go over Post treatment scan he had done 4 days ago ( in whic hwas done twice due to possible contamination on the esphogus area)

I am so worried and concerned

Has anyone had similar stories he is 18 and my thoughts are "This is suppose to be slow growing "???!!!  

Why did they wait 3 months to remove his thyroid after the cancer diagnosis?

HEALTHJem5548, So sorry to hear about your son's cancer. Story sounds so much of what my mother has been through. She has been fighting this cancer for 20 years now. She also was diognosed with Papillary Thyroid cancer, had a total Thyroidectomy followed by the radioactive iodine treatment. Since then she has gone through 3 more surgeries, and 3 more treatments of the iodine. Then she went through 2 seperate radiation treatments in neck area, and that seemed to be the best treatment and has have no sighs of cancer in that area. The radioactive iodine did not work for her, the cell would not absorb the treatment.Unfortunate for her the cancer also metastasis to the lungs. She was in a clinical trial for about 16 months, which did shrink the tumers in her lungs, but her body was taking a beating and had to be removed from the trial just resently. My mom is 78 years old. When she was first diagnosed, then also said it was slow growing. My thought is yes it is slow growing but it also be an aggresive cancer. The technology they have now with radiation there is so much hope for curing this type of cancer. Keep the fight up, your son has alot in his favor with the knowledge that they have now. My prayers are with both you and your son.

Jem5548,

So sorry to hear about your son's cancer. Story sounds so much of what my mother has been through. She has been fighting this cancer for 20 years now. She also was diognosed with Papillary Thyroid cancer, had a total Thyroidectomy followed by the radioactive iodine treatment. Since then she has gone through 3 more surgeries, and 3 more treatments of the iodine. Then she went through 2 seperate radiation treatments in neck area, and that seemed to be the best treatment and has have no sighs of cancer in that area. The radioactive iodine did not work for her, the cell would not absorb the treatment.Unfortunate for her the cancer also metastasis to the lungs. She was in a clinical trial for about 16 months, which did shrink the tumers in her lungs, but her body was taking a beating and had to be removed from the trial just resently. My mom is 78 years old. When she was first diagnosed, then also said it was slow growing. My thought is yes it is slow growing but it also be an aggresive cancer. The technology they have now with radiation there is so much hope for curing this type of cancer. Keep the fight up, your son has alot in his favor with the knowledge that they have now. My prayers are with both you and your son.

I AM AWAITING BIOPSY REPORT ON 4CM TUMOR. I AM IN WINSTON SALEM. PLEASE GIVE ME THE NAE OF YOUR DR. AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE. I AM PRAYING FOR YOU.
THANKS SO MUCH
SUSIE

DID YOU FIND THE DR IN WINSTON THAT SPECIALIZES IN THYROID?? I AM IN MOUNT AIRY AND AWAITING RESULTS. TRYING TO BE PREPARED

I TOO WOULD LIKE THE THYROID DRS IN WINSTON SALEM. I AM I SURRY COUNTY, NC

Hi!  I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2010.  I would be glad to help you.

Please go for a second and third opinion, I am 58 and my thyroid was removed because it has cancer. It had spread to the lymphs and my doctor removed them. Now I am schedule for the iodine treatment. Please, please don't really in one opinion. If you hace a Sloan K. Hospital near you, have them check you. You aren't already dead. The medicine has evolved enough for severe cancer. Keep positive and find the right doctors. Good luck!

Hi guys!

I had also papillary carcinoma last 2009. It was only benign so I only had total thyroidectomy. I didnt had any radiation therapy because my doctors said I'm already saved that's why I continued studying nursing. Then last 2010, I got again papillary carcinoma which was metastatic. So I had lymph node dissection on my right neck and had a big dosage of iodine radiation therapy. And after that I never went back to my oncologist because I continued my studies, I only visit my surgeon as needed. And now I'm already 22 yrs. old and now a registered nurse. I'm having ear pain and throat pain as well. Ive been having palpitations and my surgeon said I need to have it, it's caused by my medication levothyroxine. And he also said that I need to have it because it will help stop the cancer to come back.I'm scared of what it might be, I want it to be checked but I'm scared.

I'd love to hear more about your vit c dosage!

Do not discount vitamin c, vitamin c can be very good for you and help fight the cancer-doctors treat and don't cure - but saying that I would say listen to your doctor AND investigate for yourself. You must stay focused and take the best care of yourself with diet, less stress (hard to do when coping with an illness), exercise, and with your own investigating - follow doctors orders. Pray, God is good - life is good!

To the original first poster, wondering how you are doing?