Does the thyroglobulin detect hurthle cell as it does the papillary ?

Lola48
Lola48 Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I have read conflicting articles. The scan has very small percentage of picking up hurthle cells. Has anyone else been told that?

Comments

  • JAWsSavannah
    JAWsSavannah Member Posts: 57
    I googled it and got this
    I googled it and got this introductory statement: "Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland is an unusual and relatively rare type of differentiated thyroid cancer."

    Since it is "differentiated" I'm thinking it will likely impact the thyrogloubulin level. Differentiated cancer cells perform some of the same functions as healthy cells regardless of where they appear in the body. For example, my large tumor near my lung pumps out T4 and thyroglobulin just as if it were a healthy thyroid gland in my neck.

    The article I found on hurthle cells said it is thought to be a variant of follicular but it went on to say not all researchers believe that, not that it matters much.
  • Lola48
    Lola48 Member Posts: 16

    I googled it and got this
    I googled it and got this introductory statement: "Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland is an unusual and relatively rare type of differentiated thyroid cancer."

    Since it is "differentiated" I'm thinking it will likely impact the thyrogloubulin level. Differentiated cancer cells perform some of the same functions as healthy cells regardless of where they appear in the body. For example, my large tumor near my lung pumps out T4 and thyroglobulin just as if it were a healthy thyroid gland in my neck.

    The article I found on hurthle cells said it is thought to be a variant of follicular but it went on to say not all researchers believe that, not that it matters much.

    so worried
    So, does that mean the thryoglobulin blood test is not a good indicator?? How can I be sure it is not other places

    I feel so sick most days. My Doctor in nuclear med retired last year and the Dr.I see now is not well versed in Hurthle cell, (deals with papillary). I have to keep reminding her this is not the same as far as scans, test etc
  • JAWsSavannah
    JAWsSavannah Member Posts: 57
    No, it means Tg should be a
    No, it means Tg should be a good marker for hurthle cell carcinoma. If your Tg level is less than 1 you should rest easy. If it's higher than 1 but declining you can relax.
  • Lola48
    Lola48 Member Posts: 16

    No, it means Tg should be a
    No, it means Tg should be a good marker for hurthle cell carcinoma. If your Tg level is less than 1 you should rest easy. If it's higher than 1 but declining you can relax.

    Thanks so very much for checking into this.
    I get so confused when I start to read, not to mention overwhelmed. What kind do you have and how are you feeling?
  • Mellz
    Mellz Member Posts: 5
    Lola48 said:

    so worried
    So, does that mean the thryoglobulin blood test is not a good indicator?? How can I be sure it is not other places

    I feel so sick most days. My Doctor in nuclear med retired last year and the Dr.I see now is not well versed in Hurthle cell, (deals with papillary). I have to keep reminding her this is not the same as far as scans, test etc

    Bloods great indicator
    Hi

    I have a really great endo whom I trust and he said that HCC is one of the few cancers that can readily be picked up with bloods. The other way is to have a PET scan. I know it is really really really scary trust me I am there. I am currently undergoing PET scanning as my bloods have gone up and it may well have spread - not great news unfortunatly.

    All I can say is get a doctor you trust. Not many seem to know anything about Hurthle Cell at all.
  • JAWsSavannah
    JAWsSavannah Member Posts: 57
    I have follicular which did
    I have follicular which did not respond to RAI. The Tg levels were telling the story, though (rising over a couple years) and I ended up in a clinical trial for a new experimental drug called pazopanib.

    There are unpleasant side effects from the drug but other than those I'm doing pretty good.
  • Lola48
    Lola48 Member Posts: 16
    Mellz said:

    Bloods great indicator
    Hi

    I have a really great endo whom I trust and he said that HCC is one of the few cancers that can readily be picked up with bloods. The other way is to have a PET scan. I know it is really really really scary trust me I am there. I am currently undergoing PET scanning as my bloods have gone up and it may well have spread - not great news unfortunatly.

    All I can say is get a doctor you trust. Not many seem to know anything about Hurthle Cell at all.

    Hi Mellz:
    How long ago were

    Hi Mellz:
    How long ago were you diagnosed? Did you have strange symptoms? Are you feeling good physically after your thyroid was removed?
  • Rita C
    Rita C Member Posts: 6

    I have follicular which did
    I have follicular which did not respond to RAI. The Tg levels were telling the story, though (rising over a couple years) and I ended up in a clinical trial for a new experimental drug called pazopanib.

    There are unpleasant side effects from the drug but other than those I'm doing pretty good.

    Pazopanib
    Can you tell me more about the side effects? I will have my Tg level checked in 3 months since I just had surgery on 8/19. The pathelogist said I had an invasion of a blood vessel. Did this happen to you as well?
  • sxq5677
    sxq5677 Member Posts: 1
    Rita C said:

    Pazopanib
    Can you tell me more about the side effects? I will have my Tg level checked in 3 months since I just had surgery on 8/19. The pathelogist said I had an invasion of a blood vessel. Did this happen to you as well?

    Hurthle cell Carcinoma
    I have the same HCC too, I am totally shocked and would like to anyone of you to share your experience dealing with this type of cancer. Thanks a lot!