Papillary thyroid cancer total removal or left lobe only?

I had to make the same decision -- similar scenario. It was 9 mm in December and we decided to watch it. Just had another ultrasound done and it grew 2 mm over the past 3 months so getting left side removed May 2nd. I have a benign nodule on the right that was biopsied and hasn't changed in 6 years so we're hoping that side stays clear. After much research and consideration lobectomy felt right for me too.

Yes , I opted to only have right lob removed it had cancer. A year later they removed the other side. If I could do it again I would have totally removed the 1st round. I didn't hopeful I wouldn't need meds but that was not the case.
Good luck

My wife opted for lobectomy but during surgery it was discovered that the tumor was considerably more invasive than expected and wrapped around the vocal nerve so the surgeon proceeded with total thyroidectomy.
On a low iodine diet now and getting two shots and radioactive iodine pill next week. 🙏

🙏 hope she is recovering well

Hi, first of all, I'm sorry you are having to go thru this. It's been described to me as the 'good' cancer if you're going to get it. I had what you describe. 1990s had a lobectomy for papillary. They took the lob and istmus and some lymph nodes. I was placed on Synthroid for 15 years. Then in 09 I had hashimotos (multiple nodules) in the right lobe, as well as follicular carcinoma which had extended past the thyroid capsule and adhered to a strap muscle in my neck. The surgeon then said that the second cancer wasn't recurrence, but a new cancer. I must have walked under a ladder at some point. If I had to do it again it would be tough to decide; Total removal required me to take higher doses of Synthroid, but I felt better then than the doses I had been on while still having the right lobe intact (could just be me). Your surgeon will likely talk to you about the possibility of damaging a nerve during surgery (with either surgery option) and should be able to give you a % as to the likelihood. Mine was a very small percentage when my left lobe was removed. It probably depends on the location of the nodule . That nerve, as I understand, affects speaking and swallowing. I would have a long talk with the surgeon about lobe vs total and any additional potential damages that can occur with the total. Prognosis with papillary (from what I have been told along the way) often has a very high prognosis - like way up in the percentages. But again, your surgeon needs to confirm the particulars so you can make an informed decision.

how are you doing now, a year out?

Doing well. Labs show right thyroid performing well. No need for meds so far.

thanks

I had the tyroidectomy entire and have never regretted it. Good luck. I myself have never heard of anyone having to go back and have a second surgery after the lobectomy but I am sure there is a certain percentage that do. Hang in there it gets better. 😊