Hello Mimi74, 

Welcome to our forum. It must have been a shock to you to find out that the lump you had at the front of your neck was papillary thyroid cancer. It's good news though that the consultant said that it was found early. I hope you won't have to wait too long to get those important histology results and it's normal to feel worried but try to keep distracted if you can while waiting and avoid looking anything up online. We have some detailed general information on our website on thyroid cancer which you can read here. I hope that you will meet others on this forum who have had a similar diagnosis. One name that springs to my mind is [@SophieN]‍ who was also diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. You can see a list of the threads she has started on the forum here and I hope you will be able to connect with her or with anyone here who has been in a similar situation before. 

Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm should you wish to ask them anything. 

You had a good idea to ring the ward about the pain radiating into your ears and about the sore throat you describe and it is reassuring that they were not worried about it. However if you feel that it is persisting, you could perhaps give your GP a call and explain what is going on and see whether they have any helpful advice for you. I hope you feel better soon. 

Keeping everything crossed for you for Wednesday! Do keep us updated if you get a chance. We will be thinking of you! 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi ️! I have twinnies too!!! 

My nodule was also papillary (which is the slow growing form of thyroid cancer) -  2.8cm. I’ve had it out and decided against completion surgery. 

My daughters ask about my scar all the time, but other than that- it’s not really impacted them. 

Ask away if you have any questions and hope you get your histology report soon ️

With kind wishes xxx 

Hi. Sorry for the late reply. How old are your twins. Boys or girls? 

Can I just ask why you have decided against completion surgery? 

I have just had my histology results back and my cancer has spread into a blood vessel in the rest of my thyroid, having to have it removed on the 11th of November. Then they'll check to see how much Cancer is in it and if it has spread further, if so I may need radioactive iodine. 

I know that this type of cancer is very treatable but I am still really scared. Trying to be positive. Xx

Best wishes Michelle xxx

Hey! ️

Sorry that your histology report has confirmed a spread to  a blood vessel. The positive is that papillary is just as treatable if it’s spread or not. The RAI if you need it will zap those thyroid cells away. There’s a support group on Facebook Thyroid cancer support UK that’s been really helpful for me this past year. X 

I deceided against completion because I’ve been diagnosed with other health conditions that require medicating for life and I didn’t want to add levothyroxine into the mix. I am, however, convinced it will come out eventually because there is a 3.2mm ‘cyst’ on the other side. 

My twins are 4, fraternal girls and I have another girl who is 8. 

I hope you have support from friends and or family. Xx

Where are you based? Xxx 

That is such a dilemma for you! I'm a bit worried about taking levothyroxine for the rest of my life, and calcium because apparently my parathyroid glands may need removing too. I'm more concerned about it damaging my voice as I'm a teacher. I know that it's very treatable, it's just the constant set backs. 

My girls are IVF twins, their 10 now, and I've been really open about what's happening, because I don't want them to imagine that things are worse than they are as my dad died very quickly of Cancer last year, and my hubby's mum had recently had a double mastectomy. So trying to be really matter of fact about it xx

Hope you don't need anymore treatment x

I’m a teacher too :D

I was Secondary Performing Arts (Dance) but have been making the transition to primary. Currently not working due to other illnesses but hoping to get back into soon- just volunteering in EYFS at the mo. I understand your worry re your voice but I think that risk is only very small from what I’ve read. 

I think it’s good to tell your twins frankly about it all- because as you said, they could be imagining much worse. I never told mine it was the C word. I felt the twins were too young and my eldest would worry. I regret my decision with the eldest though. 

X 

Hi both, can't believe I'm posting to this forum. My husband was diagnosed with popillary thyroid cancer today. I'm losing it, have been crying the whole time. He'll have a chest CT to see if it's moved to other parts and will have a the whole thyroid gland and lymph nodes attached removed in a month time. Isn't it too late? Any updates on your cases? Anything I need to know. :((((((

I had papillary thyroid cancer three years ago.

I'm not sure what you mean by too late. If you are wondering if a month will make much difference to his case, it's highly unlikely. Papillary thyroid cancer is generally very slow growing. A month is unlikely to make any difference whatsoever. A year is unlikely to make any difference.

A month is pretty quick. My operation was only slightly longer than that after I was diagnosed because my surgeon figured that "psychologically, it was better to do it as soon as possible."

It also rarely spreads beyond the thyroid and lymph nodes. Hopefully, the chest CT will be clear. The odds are very much in his favour. Only something like 1%-4% of cases show spread outside the neck.

The odds are he will have the operation, might be in hospital for up to a week if he has a drain or his calcium levels fall. After that, the odds are he will be mostly fine, although he will have to take medication for the rest of his life to replace the function of this thyroid.

He may also have to have radioiodine treatment if he is at higher risk of reccurance. This is basically just annoying. It is usually a one-off, doesn't make you sick or hurt or have any real sick effects (I did get a nose bleed about ten days after it), but there will be restrictions on his contact with people afterwards, stuff like he'll have to use separate plates from you and ye might have to sleep in separate beds for a few days, that sort of thing.

Papillary thyroid cancer is not what you might be expecting when you hear "cancer". They very rarely use chemotherapy or radiotherapy and the survival rate is well over 90%. If he's under about 50, it's probably over 99%.

It's really scary, but in effect, my experience wasn't any worse than I would imagine say having your gallbladder or appendix removed would be.

Hi. 
Papilly Thyroid cancer is really 'Lazy' meaning slow growing. Once your husband has it removed, he may have some Radio Idodine treatment. 
If he's having the whole thyroid removed he will be on meds to replace what the thyroid does. It is very rare Thyroid Cancer spreads and he should fine. 
 

please try not to worry. 
 

I am cancer free three years on and only had half removed. Best wishes x 

Hi.

May I ask did you have RIT?