Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

I have been officially diagnosed with a goiter containing two nodules. One small and one rather large that will be biopsied next week.

Anyone have thyroid issues after BC, especially a thyroid cancer dx? There is a correlation between radiation treatment for nodes and thyroid cancer.

Not panicking--yet.....I guess the worst case scenario is to have the thyroid removed and radioactive iodine treatment.

Waiting for results...darn waiting.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hi Sassy,

My neighbor was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about a year ago, she had the radioactive stuff by mouth-- that was the worse part-- she couldn't be near anyone near for a period of time. After the removal of her thyroid she's perfectly fine, the cancer hadn't spread , she's now on some meeds- - and will be on it for the rest of her life- - . She's doing just fine. You will do just fine, as well.

Take care,

Adriana

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hi Sassy, I had thyroid cancer 30 years ago...it was like 3mm in size and did not show up on scans, but I had an enlarged lymph node in the neck. I had radiation to the thymus gland as an infant...thus the thyroid cancer as a young adult. I know my breast cancer was due to the radiation as well.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sending good wishes Sassy but no info to share but hoping for B9!

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

I had a cold nodule on my thyroid about 40 years ago. It was the kind that could become malignant. I was put on artificial thyroid for some period of time to keep my thyroid from functioning; I can't remember if it was 2 or 3 years. Then the nodule couldn't be felt anymore and my thyroid has functioned well since. With my recent CT & PET scans it seems I have old calcified nodules/cysts left from that time but they are not a problem. I hope yours are pre-malignant and can either stay put & monitored or removed. The only other thing I remember is that I had more energy on the Synthyroid than on my own. Good luck. Let us know when you hear back.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

I have an enlarged thyroid since treatment, i have an ultrasound every year to monitor it. Of course my doctor always freaks me out when he examines it but it turns out to be just an enlarged thyroid so far. They have never biopsied it. Good luck, it's nothing til it's something, positive thoughts. Keep us posted.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sorry to hear that you have yet another health issue to deal with/manage.

Hope that your waiting is just about over since you posted a few days ago, and I have been watching for your update. Don't wish to hear that you were rushed in for an ...ectomy!

My best thoughts coming your way dear friend.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hello Rhonda. I hope you will have good news after the biopsy. Many women have nodules without it meaning cancer.
18 months before finding my BC I was diagnosed with a goiter containing 50 nodules. The biopsy showed pre cancerous cells so the thyroid was removed and now I take levothyroxin every day.
Michka

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Rhonda, I'm sorry you're experiencing another health issue and I'll pray it isn't cancer. I am now seeing an endocrinologist and she is monitoring my thyroid. I've been experiencing metabolic issues since my diagnosis and it is frustrating. Best wishes for you, keep us posted.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Thanks everyone for your info and well wishes.

I'm so determined to be normal, I can't believe I keep having problems popping up! I had my little pity party a few posts ago over my "broken legs", but I've had my big girl panties on ever since.

If sheer determination could right things, I'd be right as rain!!!

My bone doc told my onc that he could not believe I was walking around on my fractured legs when they were dx'd. My onc told him "That's just who she is." I love my onc.

I'm still working more than full time, running my little jewelry business on the side, coach cheerleading, involved in church, singing in the choir, leading music for Bible School, working in my yard, helping to plan my son's wedding, taking care of my family, staying active in this group.........I just do it all at a different pace and take each step carefully...literally!!!

I'll deal with this however it turns out.

That's just who I AM!

Love you all,

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

We love who you are Sassy - you certainly are living life! Best wishes on the thyroid issue.
Cheers Marie

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sassy, Hoping and praying for the best for you. You are quite an inspiration. Hugs, Joanne

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Aw Sassy girl. Just need to let you know that I am thinking about you and love you lots.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sassy,

1Rarebird has shared his valuable experience and advice. Your posting reminds me of what my (2nd) neurosurgeon had told me back in 2003 when I was first diagnosed (with BC): "A person diagnosed with one cancer is more likely [than others] to have another cancer."

Sending you good vibes.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

You truly are such a ray of sunshine and encouragement...I'm sending prayers your way!! :)

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Praying for you Sassy. I know others who have done marvelous after thyroid removal and treatment- just to encourage you.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Dear Sassy,

I found out about thyroid nodes in connection with my breast cancer workup. The endocrinologist said I couldn't rely on the breast cancer scans to monitor the thyroid. The larger nodule has its own blood supply, so it was most suggestive of cancer. Biopsy on that nodule came out negative. I've had two biopsies on the other side and both were inconclusive. They want me to monitor the nodes with ultrasound. I canceled the last appointment I had for that and have not rescheduled.

I agree with the advice to get drugs when you have the biopsy. The guy who did my three didn't even numb it, and it was extremely uncomfortable. His theory is the numbing process is painful as well, but I'm not sure he's ever had a thyroid biopsy. It was awful.

When I was going through all that I learned that nodular thyroids are pretty common in older people, especially older women. I also learned, as others have said, that thyroid cancer is curable if caught early, and life without a thyroid gland is manageable with replacement hormones.

It does seem, though, that there should be a one-cancer-at-a-time rule.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Had biopsy today-three samples FNA. Doc said we would probably have results Friday. Procedure was easy with no after effects.

Fingers crossed......prayers going up.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Fingers and toes crossed for you, Sassy!

Carol Ann

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

I am praying for you dear friend. And crossing all my fingers and toes too.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

My dear friend Rhonda,

I have not seen your post on your health issues. I am so very sorry that you are having problems and still waiting to find out what the nodules really are. Hope everything turns out to be benign. Please keep us posted. I am praying dor you. I hug you in the distance my dear dear Sassy. Love you.

Paty

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Dear Saasy, oh boy you are a busy lady. Something is telling me that you will be just fine. Continue enjoying what you have been doing all this time. How exciting
to participate in your son's wedding plans.

Please keep us posted.

Love.

Adriana

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Finally got the results back on my thyroid, which were negative YEA! but the captured cells were not enough for them to clear me completely.....SOOO

We watch and wait----I hate that! Although the endo said it was difficult to capture many cells because of the calcification, which unlike breast cancer, is not a sign of malignancy. So there must not have been much room for anything to be malignant. I hope.

Back for ultrasound in September, unless the thyroid enlarges significantly in the interim. Is currently pressing slightly on my vocal cords, so something will probably be done before too long.

Thanks for all your well wishes.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Glad you got the "negative" results for now Sassy.
Hopefully you will get the all clear later on.

I have a male friend who developed thyroid cancer about 3 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. He had a rare lung cancer in his teenage years which was treated with radiation, and cured. But then he got BC in his 50s, then thyroid cancer. He's a three-time survivor.

all the best
caya

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

So glad for those calcifications - great news. Put your thyroid fears aside now & focus on the wedding, music, church, & living life big time albeit stepping gingerly.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hey Rhonda! Letting out a huge sigh of relief! Do you feel the breeze all the way down to Va? I have thyroid nodules that they are watching, too. As a matter of fact, I think the year is nearly up for another ultrasound. This growing old can be interesting to say the least, but I am happy to be here to do just that--grow old!

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Rhonda,

I'm happy your news was positive. I was told that almost all older women have nodules on their thyroids. I was also told that people get by pretty well without a thyroid gland. They can replace thyroid hormone. So don't worry.

Sassy, please reply...Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hello namesake, long time no hear. Curious what your results in September said? I just went in for some bloodwork and my TSH was 37.02 (I had it checked due to some odd symptoms)...take care and big hugs

Rhonda

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hey Rhonda Too and all,

Had another ultrasound on my thyroid and endo wants to do another biopsy. I go on Nov 18 for that. Nothing has really changed, he just wants to confirm the original findings "to be sure". I almost wish he would remove it and be done with it. Never have been the patient "watch and wait" type!

Regardless, all will be well!

Thanks for your thoughts.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Frankly, I wish I'd had mine out, except I think I'd miss my parathyroid glands.

I had Hashimoto's for years and years and years. In all that time, I never had a doctor smart enough to do a scan, but I had all the symptoms of hot nodules. Finally, not long before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my wonderful endo rechecked my antibodies (high) and did an ultrasound. Indeed, I had a nodule. I started selenium again, and after a year, it was gone. Neither it nor the antibodies have returned this time. Selenium is not for everyone, and there are pitfalls, but for me, it worked--100 micrograms a day is all it took.

I hope this resolves itself without giving you any more trouble, Rhonda.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sassy, I can't help but love the "to be sure" part. You'll be in my prayers.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hey Sassy....decided to come and take a look around her2 tonight and read about all you've been going through. You are strong and you are covered in prayer by many. I add my prayers tonight as well. From your other 9 year sister. Love and hugs.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hi Sassy,
Not sure where you are with this right now. I had thyroid cancer 2 years before breast cancer dx. My biopsies were all negative but endocrinologist said he didn't like the looks of it and wanted it out anyway. Had it removed and tho surgeon was 90% sure there was nothing, pathology came back positive. I was told that one could have 20 negative biopsies and still have thyroid cancer, so if you feel like you might as well have it out, I would support that idea. The surgery itself is relatively easy, the treatment is much easier than chemo or radiation, and many people live much of their lives without their thyroid. Having thyroid removed does NOT require parathyroids to be removed also, unless they are involved obviously. Due to my experience, my sister followed up with her doctor and was found to have thyroid cancer 1 year after me (she is 4 years younger). Feel free to contact me with questions.

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Sassy,
Prayers for B9 results!
Marcia

Re: Thyroid cancer after BC anyone?
 

Hey Cannon,

Thanks for the information. I got the results of a second biopsy today, and it was also inconclusive. So September and November biopsies did not harvest enough cells for a conclusive biopsy. There is calcification, which I take as a good sign for non cancerous, but this leaves me in the "wait and see", another ultrasound and possible biopsy in six months. Nodules are stable with no growth between biopsies.

Endo is not in favor of removal at this point. I have another issue with my legs that I may be having a procedure for soon, so for now, I'm moving forward with leg issues and keeping watch on thyroid.