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Experiences with thyroid nodules
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Experiences with thyroid nodules

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Experiences with thyroid nodules

  • Post
    • July 26, 2015 at 8:03 pm
    michaelinsocal
    Participant

      Hi all. I have been diagnosed with multiple nodules on my thryriod. Nothing has been determined to be cancerous. I am seeking comments to those who have had a similar diagnosis, course of action and the insuing results.

      A little background….

      Diagnosed with stage 3a spindle cell melanoma on my outer left foot, just below the ankle bone. Had a WLR with SNB in Dec, 2013. One node positive with micro mets, left groin lyphodectomy in April 2014. Removed nodes were all negative. Interferon for 1yr. I have a rotating schedule of Dr appts every 3 months (surgical oncologist, immunotherapy Oncologist and dermologist).

      The nodules were first detected by my only pet scan, done in Jan 2014. My surgical ONC ordered a ultrasound April 2015 which as many as 5-7 nodules, the largest bring 2.1. They don't appear to be growing and neither Dr can feel them.

      Sugical ONC ordered blood work, all normal (no hypo or hyper) but my TWC? Was twice normal. From what I read, a high count isn't conclusive of cancer. The Dr wants to skip doing further scans or biopsy because as he put it (my throat would be a pin pad from all the poked) and wants to go straight to surgery.

      I have a deliberating problem with that. My body has already been through a lot. Another surgery for something that *may* be cancerous is doesn't sit well. My regular ONC agrees and had ordered a follow up ultrasound in Sept along with my second set of scans (no pet this time, CT and Chest) to determine further growth, if any, in my thyroid. 

      Just curious if any else has been through this and and what course of action you took.

      Any helpful advice is appreciated.

      Mike in SoCal

       

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 28, 2015 at 2:07 am
        Toby0987
        Participant

          Mike-I'm dealing with same deal you are. I'm stage 3b melanoma-forearm to armpit-macromet to 1 node in 2013. I've had a ton of pets with spots showing each time on my thyroid and sometimes on liver. 2 months ago the mayo oncologist had them do an ultrasound and fine needle biopsy of the small hot spot on my thyroid. Good news it is not melanoma bad news it is papillary thyroid cancer. To fnb it they jabbed the small tumor 6 times with a needle with just a local on the injection site-piece of cake and that is coming from a guy that passes out when they draw blood.  I had them ablate the tumor with alcohol instead of chopping my thyroid out.  The ablation was super easy and fairly pain free-again just deadened the injection spot and went to town. I won't know if it worked until November's pet.  The mayo oncologist said they have been doing ablation for a long time in other Countries than the U.S. .  You need that thyroid to fight your melanoma. Also they have done studies and a lot of autopsies show papillary thyroid cancer on dead old people that died from other causes like old age.  If it is papillary thyroid cancer then it is no big deal.  

          • July 28, 2015 at 2:07 am
          Toby0987
          Participant

            Mike-I'm dealing with same deal you are. I'm stage 3b melanoma-forearm to armpit-macromet to 1 node in 2013. I've had a ton of pets with spots showing each time on my thyroid and sometimes on liver. 2 months ago the mayo oncologist had them do an ultrasound and fine needle biopsy of the small hot spot on my thyroid. Good news it is not melanoma bad news it is papillary thyroid cancer. To fnb it they jabbed the small tumor 6 times with a needle with just a local on the injection site-piece of cake and that is coming from a guy that passes out when they draw blood.  I had them ablate the tumor with alcohol instead of chopping my thyroid out.  The ablation was super easy and fairly pain free-again just deadened the injection spot and went to town. I won't know if it worked until November's pet.  The mayo oncologist said they have been doing ablation for a long time in other Countries than the U.S. .  You need that thyroid to fight your melanoma. Also they have done studies and a lot of autopsies show papillary thyroid cancer on dead old people that died from other causes like old age.  If it is papillary thyroid cancer then it is no big deal.  

            • July 28, 2015 at 2:07 am
            Toby0987
            Participant

              Mike-I'm dealing with same deal you are. I'm stage 3b melanoma-forearm to armpit-macromet to 1 node in 2013. I've had a ton of pets with spots showing each time on my thyroid and sometimes on liver. 2 months ago the mayo oncologist had them do an ultrasound and fine needle biopsy of the small hot spot on my thyroid. Good news it is not melanoma bad news it is papillary thyroid cancer. To fnb it they jabbed the small tumor 6 times with a needle with just a local on the injection site-piece of cake and that is coming from a guy that passes out when they draw blood.  I had them ablate the tumor with alcohol instead of chopping my thyroid out.  The ablation was super easy and fairly pain free-again just deadened the injection spot and went to town. I won't know if it worked until November's pet.  The mayo oncologist said they have been doing ablation for a long time in other Countries than the U.S. .  You need that thyroid to fight your melanoma. Also they have done studies and a lot of autopsies show papillary thyroid cancer on dead old people that died from other causes like old age.  If it is papillary thyroid cancer then it is no big deal.  

              • July 28, 2015 at 3:33 pm
              jvictoria
              Participant

                Mike,

                I have had nodules for over 10 years with no issues… I have since been diagnosed with stage IIIb melanoma. But, the nodules have been there for a very long time… my doctor ultrasounds them once a year and FNB every other year. Thyroid levels are fine…. and no cancer with the nodules. Melanoma is a different story.

                • July 28, 2015 at 3:33 pm
                jvictoria
                Participant

                  Mike,

                  I have had nodules for over 10 years with no issues… I have since been diagnosed with stage IIIb melanoma. But, the nodules have been there for a very long time… my doctor ultrasounds them once a year and FNB every other year. Thyroid levels are fine…. and no cancer with the nodules. Melanoma is a different story.

                  • July 28, 2015 at 3:33 pm
                  jvictoria
                  Participant

                    Mike,

                    I have had nodules for over 10 years with no issues… I have since been diagnosed with stage IIIb melanoma. But, the nodules have been there for a very long time… my doctor ultrasounds them once a year and FNB every other year. Thyroid levels are fine…. and no cancer with the nodules. Melanoma is a different story.

                    • July 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm
                    mrsaxde
                    Participant

                      Hi Mike,

                      Like the other responses you have gotten, I also have thyroid nodules. I had a thyroid uptake and imaging done at the end of June. I haven't been back to the endocrinologist yet…I'm on her cancellation list. But I saw the radiologist report. Some of my nodules are functioning, some are non-functioning. All were classified as "non-suspicious."

                      My thyroid had been fine until I was treated with Yervoy over the winter. After those treatments my TSH crashed. It looked like it was returning to normal in April, but in my most recent bloodwork it was really low again.

                      Hopefully I'll get back to the endocrinologist one of these days. I don't respond well when someone comments on wait times for medical treatment in other countries. 🙂

                        • July 28, 2015 at 6:58 pm
                        michaelinsocal
                        Participant

                          Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Much, much appreciated. 

                          I've also heard the Thyriod plays a part in fighting Melanoma, thus my hesitation to go straight to surgery. I'll have to further into the other treatment options. Is there anything that naturally shrinks such tumors?

                          Thanks again,

                          Mike

                          • July 29, 2015 at 1:20 am
                          Toby0987
                          Participant

                            Request alcohol ablation if it is thyroid cancer

                            • July 29, 2015 at 1:20 am
                            Toby0987
                            Participant

                              Request alcohol ablation if it is thyroid cancer

                              • July 29, 2015 at 1:20 am
                              Toby0987
                              Participant

                                Request alcohol ablation if it is thyroid cancer

                                • July 28, 2015 at 6:58 pm
                                michaelinsocal
                                Participant

                                  Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Much, much appreciated. 

                                  I've also heard the Thyriod plays a part in fighting Melanoma, thus my hesitation to go straight to surgery. I'll have to further into the other treatment options. Is there anything that naturally shrinks such tumors?

                                  Thanks again,

                                  Mike

                                  • July 28, 2015 at 6:58 pm
                                  michaelinsocal
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Much, much appreciated. 

                                    I've also heard the Thyriod plays a part in fighting Melanoma, thus my hesitation to go straight to surgery. I'll have to further into the other treatment options. Is there anything that naturally shrinks such tumors?

                                    Thanks again,

                                    Mike

                                  • July 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm
                                  mrsaxde
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Mike,

                                    Like the other responses you have gotten, I also have thyroid nodules. I had a thyroid uptake and imaging done at the end of June. I haven't been back to the endocrinologist yet…I'm on her cancellation list. But I saw the radiologist report. Some of my nodules are functioning, some are non-functioning. All were classified as "non-suspicious."

                                    My thyroid had been fine until I was treated with Yervoy over the winter. After those treatments my TSH crashed. It looked like it was returning to normal in April, but in my most recent bloodwork it was really low again.

                                    Hopefully I'll get back to the endocrinologist one of these days. I don't respond well when someone comments on wait times for medical treatment in other countries. 🙂

                                    • July 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm
                                    mrsaxde
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Mike,

                                      Like the other responses you have gotten, I also have thyroid nodules. I had a thyroid uptake and imaging done at the end of June. I haven't been back to the endocrinologist yet…I'm on her cancellation list. But I saw the radiologist report. Some of my nodules are functioning, some are non-functioning. All were classified as "non-suspicious."

                                      My thyroid had been fine until I was treated with Yervoy over the winter. After those treatments my TSH crashed. It looked like it was returning to normal in April, but in my most recent bloodwork it was really low again.

                                      Hopefully I'll get back to the endocrinologist one of these days. I don't respond well when someone comments on wait times for medical treatment in other countries. 🙂

                                  Viewing 8 reply threads
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