Anyone have radiation iodine (RAI) Therapy after Thyroid Lobectomy?
Has anyone received RAI Therapy after only having a thyroid LOBECTOMY?
From my research it's not as affective when you have a remaining lobe left. The potential good lobe is not only getting harmed/damaged but is taking up iodine which could rob the cancer cells from taking up their full potential of iodine which destroys them. So, I'm not really sure if they offer RAI therapy to those who have one lobe remaining because medical professionals may see two negatives (useless). If someone is trying to preserve a lobe than why go for RAI therapy; on the other hand, if you're gonna have RAI therapy then you my as well get rid of the other lobe.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Thyroid Cancer Support Group.
Mi
OK you have had the surgery as I understand it.
RAI treatment within 3 weeks of your surgery. Trouble is No Thyroxine for 21 days and low iodine diet.
Ond lady had the other treatment for the RAI Treatment which offers an alterative to no thyroxine. I saw it there but I was never offered it - even later for the RAI Scan.
You will become radio Active. No contact - sex for a period and you stay in hospital. Your own utensils, bedding, clothes. All separate. Scary stuff.
On the other hand it may not stop/kill the cancer already down lymph nodes. You may get leukaemia, damage to your Parathyroid, throat, oesophagus, voice box.
You should have an ultrasound done by a very experienced person every 6 months first year, or 3 months if moderately at risk. Then yearly.
Nothing has shown until 4 years with me.
I'd rather have another op to take out more lymphs if necessary.
By 5 years you will know if lymphs with cancer have been left or new cells. But not least you don't have the risk of damage or leukaemia. Your choice. I trusted my Surgeon that he took out what he balaned was necessay.
An area of macro calcification is the investigation - not identified as cancer yet. Another CT scan with contrast in May 2025.
Sometimes in our head it's best to have your trust in your surgeon. That's my opinion. If 2 lymphs are cancer about me I say remove them.
cheri JOY (tuckie)
Remember Papillary grows 1mm year!
Hi
I read in CANCER. Remove the total Thyroid as experience has shown that if you have cancer in one lobe you are sure to have cancer in other lobe.
My carotid arteries SCAN was passed around. Another surgeon saw a speck in the other. It should be the PATIENT'S decision. Read Read Read. Top Thyroid Cancer Surgeon believes take them both.
I agree with Gary Clayman.
My surgeon had 2 salind drips and a blue dye last to show the way of this and that OUT OF THE WAY of his removal. First Thyroid then 12 central and right lymphs.
There was no mistakes with mine.
You can read THE ATLAS HEAD AND NECK which shows the operations. I asked the library to get it for me. Good reading. I'm sure you will make the best decision for you.
cheri JOY. (tuckie)
Hi
I have to reiterate. They should have taken the whole thyroid out.
Can you have this done?
Surgically and not ny RAI TREATMENT.
I sympathise with you. That's what should have been done.
I had indication of Lymph Node cancer at my diagnosis but still took out 12 with 2 affected.
You should have been asked 1 lobe or total.
I feel for you as this new diagnosis goes backwards.
Doing the work that they should have done in the first place.
What they are saying is that if there is cancer in the other lobe that you retain - there is a risk of it going don that side's lymph nodes. 50 on each side!
I'm glad that they took both lobes out.
I'd get them to proceed with the other lobe removal and the lymph nodes he thinks could be close to other side's metasis.
Sorry for the news. My thoughts. Can you sue?? We can't in NZ.
JOY. (tuckie)76