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I was recently diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer found and the 0.5 cm nodule was dissected with clear margins during a parathyroidectomy. 6 weeks after this surgery I had an ultrasound with a highly suspicious 1.8 cm nodule on the left thyroid and a suspicious prominent lymph node on the left side. The two received fine needle aspiration. The thyroid nodule result was negative for cancer and the lymph node was insufficient to be diagnosed so that did a thyroglobulin wash and it came back negative for cancer. There’s a 1.9 benign follicular adenoma on the right side of thyroid. My surgeon wants to remove the left side of thyroid and any enlarged lymph nodes and then monitor the right side after surgery using Ultrasound.
I’m scared. I don’t know if I should get a total thyroidectomy or a the left side only. I’m 61 and in otherwise relatively good health. My first cousin was diagnosed with papillary cancer, had his entire thyroid removed, took 3 radioactive iodine capsules and his thyroid cancer metastasized to his lungs two years later. Would you have a total thyroidectomy or a hemithyroidectomy?

Good luck!

Dear thyroid friends.

I am post op complete thyroidectomy now 2 weeks. I met with the surgeon to review pathology of the tumor. I will continue with a 3 doctor team - endocrinologist, medical on oncologist, and radiologist. These doctors will decide on the future treatments. It is likely I will need radioactive iodine in a few months. The thyroid was very large and stuck to my windpipe and voicebox. Therfore, some tissue was left behind.
I am a patient at MSK in NYC. My surgeon specializes in thyroid cancer. I have been in good hands.

@kmlnj, I doubt you'll be reading this message today as it is the day of your surgery. But I send the note so that you know I'm thinking of you today. I look forward to hearing how you are doing as you begin your recovery. Let us know how you're doing when you are able.

I am so sorry that the nodule is involved in your windpipe, but you are at one of the best hospitals in the country! You will be in excellent hands! I am so happy that you have a surgeon who specializes in thyroid cancer. My surgeon here in Boston was also a specialist in thyroid cancer too. Hopefully, your surgeon will be able to remove that nodule from your windpipe and just remove the thyroid. I was shocked when I received my diagnosis, as I am sure that you are too. My surgeon removed a lymph node, which did not show cancer, but for the next five years, I have to go for an ultrasound on my lymph nodes in my neck every six months, along with periodic blood tests to make sure that the medication is at the right level. I will keep you in my prayers for a successful surgery and compete healing. You are with a fantastic hospital! Please take good care and keep me posted after your surgery.

Thank you Mary Ann. I will be at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. I live
in NJ. My surgeon specializes in thyroid cancer. He said he was
"concerned " because of the size of the module and that it is plastered
against my windpipe.

Thank you. Be well

Hello - I am sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis. It is a very scary thing to wrap your mind around. My vocal chords were very week after surgery and I thought for sure I would never speak normally again. It's been about six weeks and just about back to normal. Don't give up hope, stay strong! Best wishes for a healthy recovery. Please let us know how you are doing.

I am so sorry to read that thyroid cancer was diagnosed, but I want to let you know that a total thyroidectomy is a surgery isn’t bad at all. I had to stay overnight in Boston at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the only problem that I had was lack of sleep, because they were checking on me all night…….which was a good thing. I recovered quickly. I had nodules on the thyroid that had turned cancerous, along with other nodules that were not seen on the ultrasound. I want to assure you that my voice is now fine (a little hoarse for a few days after surgery). I am now on levothyroxine and calcium, along with Vitamin D every day. Once your thyroid is removed, you will regain your voice within a week. They just need to remove it, along with the tumors. I know the worry that this brings. However, I was told that it was 100% curable and also slow growing. That gave me comfort. You will be okay. What hospital will you be going to to have your surgery done? I am wishing you all the best for your surgery, along with prayers for a complete healing and recovery. MaryAnn from Boston

Thank you! I feel like I am fully recovered now. I just have to get those ultrasounds on lymph nodes and bloodwork every so often. I was told by my surgeon that if you have half of the thyroid removed, the other half takes over and does the complete job of the thyroid, so I am happy for you that only half needed to be removed!