Question

Hi TBOMB

Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome to the online community. My name’s Simon and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

I’m sorry to hear that you have been getting neck pain following surgery and radioactive iodine treatment for your Thyroid cancer. You did the right thing in reporting this to your treatment team and it appears that they have been prompt in investigating the cause through the ultra-sound scan and forthcoming biopsy of the suspicious lymph node.

There can be occasions where microscopic cancer cells from your Thyroid tumour have spread to further lymph nodes in the neck area. These cells may be so small at first that they are not seen on a CT scan until they have developed into a growth large enough to be detected. It can take months sometimes before they are detectable and this may be why they were not seen on your post treatment scan.

I wonder if you have a nurse specialist at the hospital? If so, it may be worth contacting them. They can help answer more specific questions as they have access to your medical records. A further useful source of support can be the butterfly thyroid cancer trust.

I hope this information is of some help.

Best wishes

Simon Morgan-Jones:  Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref/SMJ/ AR

Simon  thank you for  getting back with  my  question and  the information..No   i  dont have  a nurse  specialist  i  speak  to etc..    just  called the  specialsit  and the recopenist  relayed to the nurse and  took it from there..

In  away  that makes  sense  etc  just  couldnt  get  my  head around it..  The information you  gave me  helped  more of insight  etc..  Will  have to  wait and see if what hte biospy  shows  after next  week and take it  from  mthere

if it is cancer  what  could be the  plan  if it is cancer..  Would i  do the same  thing  like i did  when  the  thyroid  cancer and left  lymph node?

Hello TBOMB,

Thanks for getting back in touch with us and for your question.

I am pleased to read that the information Simon gave you was helpful. It’s not easy waiting for news.

If your cancer has come back treatment options for you will depend on your results and where the cancer is. You mentioned a left node on your neck. They may be able to remove it with surgery alongside radioactive iodine.

Radioactive iodine can also be used as a stand-alone treatment and some people have external radiotherapy.

I hope this helps. Please get back in touch if you have any other questions.

You can get in touch via our support line on 0808 808 0000. We are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.

Best wishes, 

Linda J, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: LJ/CF

Linda,

Thank you  too  for the  information...

Yeah the  wiaiting  game  is  very much  indeed..  But  am thankful  for  everyone   for the  help and know that i am  not  alone  etc..