if you have thyroid cancer, and you have your thyroid taken out, can the cancer still spread?
2006-11-02 06:56:28 · 8 answers · asked by kristina_m_carter 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
It depends on what stage the cancer was in at time of excision. If the cancer was in situ, that is, contained within the gland, and the tumor had clear margins, then the chances are very good that a person will be fine, especially if excision is followed by radiation therapy.
If there were already metastases present and unknown at the time of excision, the cancer never left. If any malignant cells are left behind, the cancer never left. Yes, under these circumstances, it can and probably will spread (metasticize).
2006-11-02 07:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have thyroid cancer and it is limited to the the thyroid, then you have a great chance of getting it all. Not only by removal of the thyroid, but they always do either chemo or radiation to make sure they got it all. If the cancer has already spread from the thyroid, you can still recover but it will be much more difficult. More invasive surgery, more chemo....
2006-11-02 07:00:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Short answer- yes.
Long answer- For starters, are you worried? Cancer of the thyroid is extremely rare, and if it is cancer it's usually NOT the dangerous kind. But, I do know people who have had the dangerous kind..so it DOES happen.
It is rare to spread if you have a good surgeon who removed all of it as best as they could. Just do your research on a good thyroid removal surgeon.
This is what you do to prevent cancer from reoccuring after cancer/thyroid is removed:
1. Keep your TSH levels (thyroid levels) under 1.5 or even better under 1.0 to keep your thyroid levels good and under control (it's called "supression"). If you are at a level of over 2 or 3.0 you are not supressing your thyroid enough to help prevent recurrance of cancer. To supress it, it takes thyroid medications (t4, t3 or combo of both, or natural dessicated thyroid medications). Do your research/find a book on it if you need more info.
2. Eat right, be healthy. Exercise, drink lots of water. Avoid toxins like fluroide, etc. Eat cancer-fighting foods. Avoid soy at all costs (interupts thyroid hormone).
3. Go get checked up for labs, and ultrasounds on neck, etc. regularly. That may be every six months. Get biopsies, Fine Needle Aspirations done every few years, it's not as bad as it sounds!
Good luck!
2006-11-04 07:01:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My friend had cancer in her thyroid, it was taken out, and she still gets yearly check ups to make sure that the cancer has not spread.
2006-11-02 07:38:31 · answer #4 · answered by Pao 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-11-02 07:10:04 · answer #5 · answered by wilf69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if the metastases have already occurred.
2006-11-02 06:59:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends ....... you know what? you really should ask your Doc on this one.
2006-11-02 07:03:31 · answer #7 · answered by graciegirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
please speak to a doctor.
2006-11-02 06:59:37 · answer #8 · answered by ash 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋