Hello @jillridged10 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to read what your son, and you as his caretaker, are going through. Being scared during times of uncertainty is so normal and I'm glad you've reached out to others for support.

When was his right thyroid removed and when is his next thyroid removal scheduled for?

Hi Jill, I can imagine you’re very scared. He’s only 21. I bet you wish you could change places with him.

As you may know, oncocytic carcinoma of the thyroid (OCA) is sometimes referred to as “Hürthle cell” carcinoma. With that in mind, I moved your post to this existing discussion about Hurthle cell cancer.
– Anyone here with Hurthle Cell Carcinoma?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-here-with-hurthle-cell-carcinoma/

I did this so you can read the posts from others and connect easily with members like @koh @cnicole @traceyjhp @paul300 @skipeak @connierogers @susanau @bfrank and others.

Your son might also be interested in joining the Young Adult support group. There is a discussion forum and a monthly Zoom meeting. See here
- Adolescent & Young Adult (Aya) Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/adolescent-young-adult-aya-cancer/
- AYA (Adolescents and Young Adults) Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/aya-adolescents-and-young-adults-support-group-1/
The next meeting is on Thursday, Feb 2

When is his next surgery coming up? How is he doing?

Hi!
I had a large thyroid nodule on my right lobe and had surgery in July 2022; whereupon I was diagnosed with Hurthle Cell Carcinoma. I had my surgery at MSK and the surgeon has a background with Hurthle Cell Carcinoma. Although I had the right lobe, isthmus and one parathyroid removed, there has not been any discussion about having my left thyroid lobe removed. I am being monitored and had to start Synthroid. I am hopeful that I MIGHT be able to stop the Synthroid and my left lobe will work well enough, however I am unsure if this is a realistic thought (I am considering changing endocrinologist). I have some concerning side effect with a pain in my neck and tightness but so far they tell me it is not a concern.

Although every case is different, there seems to be a line of research that states that you don’t always have to have the entire thyroid removed after diagnosis of Hurthle cell carcinoma. I don’t know if the surgeon will be mentioning this at a later date, but so far it has never been mentioned to me.
If your son is not being seen by a cancer specialist, you might want to consider a second opinion in case he is a candidate for “monitoring” instead of a second surgery and the definite need for Synthroid. A lot depends on how encapsulated the nodule was; however it might be an option!

The unknown is scary, but just keep researching and asking questions. Taking a minute to breath and think things through is important, In my opinion, a second opinion by a surgeon who specializes in Hurthle Cell Carcinoma might help put your mind at ease on treatment options for your son.
Good luck!!