1. < Breast Cancer

Thyroid Nodules found 2 years after breast cancer radiation treatment

Posted by mjay @mjay, Aug 24, 2021

Has anyone experienced thyroid issues/nodules after having BC radiation? In looking back, I may have had undiscovered thyroid issues before BC, but didn't learn that I had nodules until recently via a cervical spine X-ray. I have a host of other issues that may be attributed to thyroid, but my thyroid levels are "normal" according to conventional medicine standards. I'm also on letrazole now and wondering if this drug or anastrozole has played a role in the thyroid nodule formation as well. Anyone else have similar issues?

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 26, 2021
In reply to @mjay "Thank you, and no worries. I just got the results last night. Just trying to keep..." + (show)
@mjay

Thank you, and no worries. I just got the results last night. Just trying to keep things in perspective. Apparently there is a relationship between thyroid issues, not necessarily thyroid cancer, and BC, and I’m pretty convinced my TC went undiscovered for quite some time unfortunately, so hopefully others can treat their thyroid issues before BC.

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It never even occurred to me, thank you for bringing that to the attention of the community. I certainly have wondered about my own, but not the connection of that with BC.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 30, 2021
In reply to @mjay "Well, not such good news. I now have thyroid cancer. Good news is it’s of the..." + (show)
@mjay

Well, not such good news. I now have thyroid cancer. Good news is it’s of the papillary type which is very treatable. Meeting with doc next week after CT scan. Really makes me wonder what came first, TC or BC, or if BC radiation treatment was what gave me TC. I have a genetic SNP for both so I guess in the end it doesn’t matter. At least this diagnosis wasn’t as traumatic as the first BC diagnosis. I’m getting more experienced! LOL. I hope I will have enough “experience” after this episode to last me the rest of my life. 🥲😂

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Hi mjay, sorry to hear about the second diagnosis of thyroid cancer. While you weren't wishing to gain more "experience" in the cancer department, I'm happy that you're hear to share your experience with others and to give and get support. You may also wish to join the thyroid cancer group and ask questions as you start this new journey.
- Thyroid Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/

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1 reply
happy2bhere | @happy2bhear | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @mjay "Well, not such good news. I now have thyroid cancer. Good news is it’s of the..." + (show)
@mjay

Well, not such good news. I now have thyroid cancer. Good news is it’s of the papillary type which is very treatable. Meeting with doc next week after CT scan. Really makes me wonder what came first, TC or BC, or if BC radiation treatment was what gave me TC. I have a genetic SNP for both so I guess in the end it doesn’t matter. At least this diagnosis wasn’t as traumatic as the first BC diagnosis. I’m getting more experienced! LOL. I hope I will have enough “experience” after this episode to last me the rest of my life. 🥲😂

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Hi mjay - What kind of test was given for you to know you have genetic SNP for BC & TC? Do you think if you didn't have that connection that the doctors would have gone forward? You mentioned it was discovered bc of spinal xray, did that turn out to be a non-issue or are you also dealing with spinal problems?
You have your hands full for sure. I so appreciate you speaking about this. I just went through a follow-up - I had Stage III and 2 nodules removed. I have quite a lot of pain still and am getting an MRI in a couple weeks. Will be asking if that could detect nodules.
Wishing you a successful treatment.

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2 replies
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @happy2bhear "Hi mjay - What kind of test was given for you to know you have genetic..." + (show)
@happy2bhear

Hi mjay - What kind of test was given for you to know you have genetic SNP for BC & TC? Do you think if you didn't have that connection that the doctors would have gone forward? You mentioned it was discovered bc of spinal xray, did that turn out to be a non-issue or are you also dealing with spinal problems?
You have your hands full for sure. I so appreciate you speaking about this. I just went through a follow-up - I had Stage III and 2 nodules removed. I have quite a lot of pain still and am getting an MRI in a couple weeks. Will be asking if that could detect nodules.
Wishing you a successful treatment.

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This is a horrible turn of events for you. I am trying to clarify your issues, do you have thyroid issues as well? The nodules you mention and the stage 3. Is that thyroid, breast, or both?

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2 replies
mjay | @mjay | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @happy2bhear "Hi mjay - What kind of test was given for you to know you have genetic..." + (show)
@happy2bhear

Hi mjay - What kind of test was given for you to know you have genetic SNP for BC & TC? Do you think if you didn't have that connection that the doctors would have gone forward? You mentioned it was discovered bc of spinal xray, did that turn out to be a non-issue or are you also dealing with spinal problems?
You have your hands full for sure. I so appreciate you speaking about this. I just went through a follow-up - I had Stage III and 2 nodules removed. I have quite a lot of pain still and am getting an MRI in a couple weeks. Will be asking if that could detect nodules.
Wishing you a successful treatment.

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Hi happy2bhere! I did an at home 23andme genetic health test and then took the raw data and put it through a software to help decipher any gene mutations I might have. I also had a complete array of genetic testing done through the hospital upon my breast cancer diagnosis, but they don't look at the same SNPs as the 23andme test did. Crazy that a $100 test gave me more info than a $4k genetic test down to the exact type of BC that I had!

The thyroid nodules were brought to light due to an unrelated cervical X-ray I was having due to neck pain. Thankfully, my chiropractor told me to get it checked out for which I am so grateful. About 10 years ago I had a cervical MRI that showed something on my thyroid that was never fully explored, so I do believe the thyroid nodules and/or cancer have been around for a while and, fortunately, is slow-growing being papillary. I can't help but wonder if it was treated years ago whether or not I would have ever gotten BC as there is a correlation between the two compounded by BC radiation treatment. I hope the worst of treatment is behind you and wish you all the best on your healing journey!

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1 reply
mjay | @mjay | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "This is a horrible turn of events for you. I am trying to clarify your issues,..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

This is a horrible turn of events for you. I am trying to clarify your issues, do you have thyroid issues as well? The nodules you mention and the stage 3. Is that thyroid, breast, or both?

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Hi Chris, I think you may be confusing happy2bhere with me, mjay. I have had BC in the past and am now facing TC. I do not know what stage yet as I have not had surgery nor met with my doctor yet. I believe happy2bhere has stage 3 thyroid cancer alone, but I don't want to speak for her.

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1 reply
happy2bhere | @happy2bhear | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @mjay "Hi happy2bhere! I did an at home 23andme genetic health test and then took the raw..." + (show)
@mjay

Hi happy2bhere! I did an at home 23andme genetic health test and then took the raw data and put it through a software to help decipher any gene mutations I might have. I also had a complete array of genetic testing done through the hospital upon my breast cancer diagnosis, but they don't look at the same SNPs as the 23andme test did. Crazy that a $100 test gave me more info than a $4k genetic test down to the exact type of BC that I had!

The thyroid nodules were brought to light due to an unrelated cervical X-ray I was having due to neck pain. Thankfully, my chiropractor told me to get it checked out for which I am so grateful. About 10 years ago I had a cervical MRI that showed something on my thyroid that was never fully explored, so I do believe the thyroid nodules and/or cancer have been around for a while and, fortunately, is slow-growing being papillary. I can't help but wonder if it was treated years ago whether or not I would have ever gotten BC as there is a correlation between the two compounded by BC radiation treatment. I hope the worst of treatment is behind you and wish you all the best on your healing journey!

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Thank you for info!

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happy2bhere | @happy2bhear | Aug 31, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "This is a horrible turn of events for you. I am trying to clarify your issues,..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

This is a horrible turn of events for you. I am trying to clarify your issues, do you have thyroid issues as well? The nodules you mention and the stage 3. Is that thyroid, breast, or both?

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Dec2017 stage III double mastectomy and 2 nodes removed. I just had follow up and am having MRI bc both implants - right in particular cause 8-9 pain 24/7. My thyroid is ok numbers but I am tired, feet and legs still neuropathy but I stopped gabapentin, just didn’t like sluggish feel. And I take Letrazole same as mjay. So I wondered more about her and would like definite about thyroid. That’s all. At moment nothing has been diagnosed. Would like to keep it that way. 👍

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 31, 2021

First time in a while, I was so happy to misunderstand the post. I knew you were still struggling with after affects from all the STUFF from breast cancer. I am still hoping they can figure something out for your chest. I am still taking gabapentin but I have a friend who is having much better results from lyrica and some supplements for nueropathy

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aspapla | @aspapla | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi mjay, sorry to hear about the second diagnosis of thyroid cancer. While you weren't wishing..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi mjay, sorry to hear about the second diagnosis of thyroid cancer. While you weren't wishing to gain more "experience" in the cancer department, I'm happy that you're hear to share your experience with others and to give and get support. You may also wish to join the thyroid cancer group and ask questions as you start this new journey.
- Thyroid Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/

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Dear all, I just had a biopsy which identified thyroid cancer. I am scheduled for a PET CT in a couple of days and then surgery. My question however is: last year I had breast cancer (triple positive) and I just finished my Herceptin treatment. What are the chances that this new cancer is metastatic from the breast? My doctor says they will know after the surgery but I was wandering, what are the chances? Thank you!

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