https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/I-ve-just-been-diagnosed/Had-anyone-with-papillary-thyroid-cancer-ever-kept-half-the/m-p/36500#M2806 <P>Firstly, can I just say the C-word sucks big time. &nbsp;Ok - got that out of my system and called it for what it is......<BR /><BR /></P><P>A family member has recently been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. &nbsp;Half her thyroid was removed, and lymph nodes. &nbsp;There was cancer in the lumps in the thyroid (also went outside the thyroid) but none in the nodes. &nbsp;</P><P><BR />The recommended next step is to remove what appears to be a clear remaining working &nbsp;half of a thyroid- just in case because the cancer had made its way outside the thyroid (not fully contained). &nbsp;</P><P>Also being told that to monitor for cancer you can’t keep a healthy thyroid as it makes monitoring test results “unreliable”.</P><P>And if she gets to the stage of needing radioactive iodine therapy in future- the remaining half has to go anyway as it makes the RAI therapy ineffective (is that true?).</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Why didn’t they just do a full thyroidectomy in the first place if all options are to have this fully removed. &nbsp;Btw she does not need to have RAI now. &nbsp;Only if cancer cells are detected in the future. But is also being told cancer cell monitoring is hindered if you keep your healthy thyroid - so we may not tell if any cancer got out. &nbsp; &nbsp;(Ps- is anyone working on finding a better test method????).&nbsp;</P><P><BR />There was mention of the Japanese (to patiently watch and see) vs Korean (aggressive and precautionary) approach to managing thyroid cancer - no one has mentioned it in any comment or blog &nbsp;- hoping to hear if anyone has had their surgeon talk about these approaches. &nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P><SPAN>I feel like the advice given is “take out your healthy thyroid to help the medical monitoring be a (“bit more”; coz nothing is 100) full proof”. &nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><BR />Tired, confused and my sibling is simply overwhelmed. &nbsp;</P> Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:59:18 GMT Vee21 2021-01-25T20:59:18Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/I-ve-just-been-diagnosed/Had-anyone-with-papillary-thyroid-cancer-ever-kept-half-the/m-p/36500#M2806 <P>Firstly, can I just say the C-word sucks big time. &nbsp;Ok - got that out of my system and called it for what it is......<BR /><BR /></P><P>A family member has recently been diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. &nbsp;Half her thyroid was removed, and lymph nodes. &nbsp;There was cancer in the lumps in the thyroid (also went outside the thyroid) but none in the nodes. &nbsp;</P><P><BR />The recommended next step is to remove what appears to be a clear remaining working &nbsp;half of a thyroid- just in case because the cancer had made its way outside the thyroid (not fully contained). &nbsp;</P><P>Also being told that to monitor for cancer you can’t keep a healthy thyroid as it makes monitoring test results “unreliable”.</P><P>And if she gets to the stage of needing radioactive iodine therapy in future- the remaining half has to go anyway as it makes the RAI therapy ineffective (is that true?).</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>Why didn’t they just do a full thyroidectomy in the first place if all options are to have this fully removed. &nbsp;Btw she does not need to have RAI now. &nbsp;Only if cancer cells are detected in the future. But is also being told cancer cell monitoring is hindered if you keep your healthy thyroid - so we may not tell if any cancer got out. &nbsp; &nbsp;(Ps- is anyone working on finding a better test method????).&nbsp;</P><P><BR />There was mention of the Japanese (to patiently watch and see) vs Korean (aggressive and precautionary) approach to managing thyroid cancer - no one has mentioned it in any comment or blog &nbsp;- hoping to hear if anyone has had their surgeon talk about these approaches. &nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P><SPAN>I feel like the advice given is “take out your healthy thyroid to help the medical monitoring be a (“bit more”; coz nothing is 100) full proof”. &nbsp;&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><BR />Tired, confused and my sibling is simply overwhelmed. &nbsp;</P> Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:59:18 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/I-ve-just-been-diagnosed/Had-anyone-with-papillary-thyroid-cancer-ever-kept-half-the/m-p/36500#M2806 Vee21 2021-01-25T20:59:18Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/I-ve-just-been-diagnosed/Had-anyone-with-papillary-thyroid-cancer-ever-kept-half-the/m-p/36578#M2823 <P>Morning <a href="https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/8570">@Vee21</a> and welcome to our community <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":red_heart:">❤️</span></P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Sorry to hear of your sibling's diagnosis!</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>You or other members of your family may be interested in having a listen to a few of our podcasts, such as <A href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts/episode-6-making-treatment-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making treatment decisions</A>, <A href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts/episode-16-family-dynamics-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">family dynamics and cancer</A>, and <A href="https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts/episode-4-how-to-help-someone-with-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">how to help someone with cancer</A>.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>I'd also recommend reading<LI-MESSAGE title="Talking to your doctor" uid="35621" url="https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-Treatment/Talking-to-your-doctor/m-p/35621#U35621" discussion_style_icon_css="lia-mention-container-editor-message lia-img-icon-tkb-thread lia-fa-icon lia-fa-tkb lia-fa-thread lia-fa"></LI-MESSAGE> and<LI-MESSAGE title="Making treatment decisions" uid="35585" url="https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/Diagnosis-and-Treatment/Making-treatment-decisions/m-p/35585#U35585" discussion_style_icon_css="lia-mention-container-editor-message lia-img-icon-tkb-thread lia-fa-icon lia-fa-tkb lia-fa-thread lia-fa"></LI-MESSAGE>.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Has she had any further tests or updates about her treatment as yet? Please remember, we are here for any member of your family who may need support <span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":face_blowing_a_kiss:">😘</span></P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>-Kate</P> <P><FONT color="#3366FF"><EM>Cancer Council Online Community Manager</EM></FONT></P> Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:35:32 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/I-ve-just-been-diagnosed/Had-anyone-with-papillary-thyroid-cancer-ever-kept-half-the/m-p/36578#M2823 Katekat 2021-02-03T00:35:32Z