Cleveland Clinic

Williamryan

I have papillary thyroid cancer (stage IV) that has spread to lymph nodes in the chest and lungs.  Thyroid removed 2008 and have had two cancerous lymph nodes removed from my neck in February 2013.  I am presently being treated with Nexavar at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh.  Has anyone been treated at Cleveland Clinic Thyroid Cancer Center?  If so, what treatment approaches do they offer for this type of cancer that has spread to the chest lymph nodes and lungs?

miladyx

Williamryan, I am sorry to

Williamryan, I am sorry to hear that. May I ask how old your are and what your tg level is?

Williamryan

miladyx said:

Williamryan, I am sorry to

Williamryan, I am sorry to hear that. May I ask how old your are and what your tg level is?

Cleveland Clinic

I am 55 yrs old and my most recent Tg level (April 2013) was 14 (below 0.4 being normal).  I have already tried Zelboraf (chemo pill) specifically designed for melanoma (bRAF positive) but since my thyroid cancer is bRAF positive and RI-131 resistant, Zelboraf targets the bRAF pathway from growing.  I had a severe allergic reaction to Zelboraf within 3 days and was immediately taken off of this chemo pill.  Now my oncologist wants to try Nexavar, which has shown positive results, although short term, in clinical trials.  I know Cleveland Clinic has a Thyroid Cancer Center and am seeking information regarding anyone who has been treated at this Center.

I have already consulted two thoracic surgeons regarding removing the lymph nodes within my chest but both had warned me of the possible complications (short and long term) and that this type of cancer needs to be treated systemically, which I agree.  If I did have the surgery and overcame the complications with time, there is no guarantee that the cancer will appear in other lymph nodes within the chest.