Papillary Thyroid Cancer- Partial Thyroid Removal Surgery .

Shiva 12 hours ago

3 replies
34 subscribers
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Hello to all ,

I am new to this forum and this is my first post.
I have been diagnosed with Palpillary Thyroid cancer 4 days ago . Dr said I have thyroid cancer tumour of 9 mm - less than 1 cm and recommended
Right Thyroid Lobe Removal Surgery yesterday and no requirement of Thyroxine medications.
I get worried what if cancer gets spread to the other half of thyroid during the actual process of surgery or post surgery and then Dr leading to recommending to remove another half of thyroid too. So I could not consent to surgery in yesterday's appointment at Guy's and St Thomas.

Dr respected my decision to no immediate surgery and observe , has advised me to contact them in 1-2 weeks time if i have a change of mind , he has also booked a review in 3 months . However he was emphasising on the risk that it may get spread to close by lymph nodes and might require full thyroid removal surgery + removal of lymph nodes and lifelong hormone replacement medications .

At this point of time I am in dilemma whether I should go ahead with a partial thyroid removal surgery or to say no to surgery and active observance to check if this 9 mm tumour might just stay indorant /the same .? I am finding really difficult to make a decision about this surgery...

I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience of being recommended a partial thyroid surgery and how was a prognosis after that/ experience and length of living with a partial thyroid. Sharing of any thoughts/suggestion/experience would be extremely helpful to me ..

Dexx 10 hours ago

Hi Shiva

The decision to have surgery is yours and your medical team will know what to do for the best and give advice which they seem to have done. All my info is on my profile but mine was clear cut. 4 years ago I had a full TT and left neck dissection so RAI was definitely on the cards for me. I am so grateful for the care and attention I had and am still receiving. Take time to decide and ask all the questions and discuss any reservations you have. Many people have a partial TT and continue to be well. You will be looked after. Let us know how you get on x

Elliemak76953f 3 hours ago

I was recommended partial removal but once the results came back from lab it was confirmed cancer cells on my other side too so I have had second surgery now .

The cancer is not going to go away and you will have to decide which surgery is best for you . I personally wanted it out before it spread .

schnauzerdaisy 2 hours ago in reply to Dexx

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I decided that however small my nodule was I just wanted the cancer out of my body. I had the offending half removed after which the histology revealed that my papillary cancer had a follicular variant. My surgeon hoped the cancer was limited to one side but given that histology he advised removing the remaining thyroid. I went ahead and the histology for that found microscopic cells. As much as I'm devastated about losing my thyroid and being on meds for life, I have never regretted my decision. If I had not taken those decisions I think the anxiety that the cancer would grow and spread. It would have tortured me daily I think would not and that was too much for me. I just wanted it all out of me.
my surgeon originally hoped that total removal would not have been necessary but sadly that wasn't to be for me. if I had my time again I would still make the same decisions as there was always a chance the cancer was be contained on one one side. Sadly it wasn't so I had the second operation. I was very lucky my lymph nodes were clear and I did not need radioactive iodine ether.
I took the view that removal would be better earlier rather than waiting and risking it spreading.
your medical team will give you their very best advice and recommendations so I hope that it helps you make the best decision for you personally both clinically and emotionally.
wishing you all the very best

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