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Occult Papillary Thyroid Cancer with Lateral II Lymph Node Metastasis
Thyroid Cancer | Last Active: May 13, 2023 | Replies (4)Comment receiving replies
I am not sure I understand why you keep having studies done. Is the lump growing? Is it still there? Lymph nodes change based on infections however that’s what they are designed to do; did blood work show signs of lymphoma? If nothing is showing up in the scans, I don’t understand why you keep having them.
“Suspicion of PTC”” is usually due to something that shows up in the various scans and/or biopsy; maybe you should go for a second opinion.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the questions! I will try to answer them as well as I can without being an expert.
1. Once you are "suspicious for PTC," the doctors seem to all recommend a thyroidectomy. I suspect the reason is that having your thyroid out and being on synthetic thyroid hormones is better for you in the long run than having the cancer spread to other parts of your body.
2. The lump is no longer there. The lump was surgically removed in July of 2022, along with some 26 other lymph nodes. (I have a 4 or 5 inch scar on the side of my neck to prove it!) The chemical analysis of 4 lymph nodes revealed markers consistent with being suspicious for PTC.
3. Before having the lymph nodes removed, I had another biopsy done in June of 2022. I also had my slides sent to another institution to have them analyzed. While different tests were done, the results seemed consistent for being suspicious for PTC. (I uploaded a document in my first post for anyone to see)
4. Now, the reason for all the studies has to do with what all the doctors (2 different ones) told me. Even though they can't see any cancer on my thyroid, it is most likely there, and they will find it after they take my thyroid out. Doctors have told me that my cancer will spread and metathesize into another part of my body, if I don't have it taken out. I have even been told by my doctors that I will kill myself if I don't have my thyroid taken out. The reason I keep having tests done is in response to these doctors, namely, to make sure I am not doing something that will kill me by keeping my thyroid in my body. It is my version of "active surveillance."
This is why I am looking around for answers. I don't want to be reckless with my health, and maybe even find someone who can help me understand my situation better.