Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Hi Florence 

Although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

Sending virtual hugs to you and your dad

Anne

I'm really sorry to read this and I can't offer you any significant hope.

Most people think thyroid cancer is an 'easy' one, but your poor Dad has just learned that alongside the highly treatable TCs, we also have anaplastic, and it's a complete bastard of a cancer.

Pain management and making the most of the time he has left will be the priorities now. 

Thank you for responding, you're right, it is a complete bastard. Fortunately Dad has started targeted therapy which has helped with his symptoms and may give us more time with him.

This is such a rare cancer with no treatment options and hardly any support or information available. Thank goodness for our local Hospice who are amazing.

Hello.

I am really sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis. I am pleased he is getting some targeted therapy. 

I have been diagnosed with tall cell thyroid cancer which is also a rare thyroid cancer which is more aggressive and has more potential to spread, Last week I had a second surgery in 2 months and am now waiting for news to see if it has spread to lymph material. I have been told I will need radioactive iodine therapy or targeted therapy no matter what which is daunting. 

I don't have any advice but I wanted to reach out as I have found it difficult to find others dealing with the rarer thyroid cancers. 

Hi

I'm so sorry to hear your diagnosis but I'm glad you are receiving treatment.

You are right though, there is so little information,  support or research into these rarer cancers.

Anaplastic is very aggressive and it is so hard to find out that there are really no treatment options.

Thank you for reaching out and I wish you all the best in your treatment and recovery.

I too have tall cell - 50%.  
Please don’t worry too much about radioactive iodine.  I’ve had it twice, May 22 and January 23.  It’s completely painless, just annoying to have to go through the process.  Nothing like chemo for example.   My husband died of a rare form of bowel cancer 14 months ago and what he experienced was so very much more challenging. 

I have a scan and bloods in a few weeks and hoping things are stable.  

But if action is needed, I hope I will cope with it, despite not having my husband to support me now.

The good thing is they will monitor us carefully.  I’m at Addenbrookes which is the big  hospital in Cambridge.  They said they get one case like me each year.