The Endocrinologist (Dr. Kimmel)

At our appointment with the Endocrinologist (Dr. Kimmel) , we were told more information about the thyroid in general and thyroid cancer specifically. Things like:

• There are usually no symptoms
• If you are going to get cancer this is the one to get
• This is generally something you die with, not of (we really like this one!)
• Post-surgery treatment of radioactive iodine (more about that later).

Dr. Kimmel also mentioned that while reviewing the chest x-ray she noticed a shadow on the lung, and requested Tanya get a CT of her chest. We were told that it is not uncommon for thyroid cancer to move to the lung, so Dr. Kimmel wanted to get a CT scan for a more detailed look. Needless to say we were even more terrified upon hearing about this.

The Diagnosis (Dr. Wight & Dr. Lee)

This is a lot of information, so I will apologize in advance for going into so much detail. In addition to sharing this with those who are interested, I am trying to document the entire process.

A few months ago Tanya found a lump in her neck. When it didn’t go away on its own, she saw her doctor (Dr. Wight), who said it was an enlarged lymph node and suggested waiting a few weeks to see if the issue resolved itself. When it didn’t, Tanya went back in and was referred to a surgeon (Dr. Lee). Dr. Lee recommended removing the lymph node, and the beginning of September Tanya had surgery; shortly after we received the diagnosis.

Dr. Lee told us that the prognosis for this type of cancer is good, but that Tanya's thyroid would need to be removed, in addition to some lymph nodes in her neck (the latter is called a neck dissection). She requested that Tanya have some tests performed: a chest x-ray, a MRI of her neck and blood work. She also referred us to an Endocrinologist.

Tanya has cancer

Metastatic Papillary Thyroid cancer to be specific.

Here is what we know as of now:

• There are usually no real symptoms of this type of cancer
• This is generally a highly treatable form of cancer 
• The survival rate is high (as Tanya’s Endocrinologist said “This is something you generally die with, not of”)
• Tanya will need surgery to remove her thyroid and will also have the lymph nodes on the right side of her neck removed
• Tanya will undergo radioactive iodine treatment at some point shortly after the surgery
• This cancer does not generally require chemotherapy or radiation