Total thyroidectomy vs. partial thyroidectomy - which is better for 1cm tumor

rzemach
rzemach Member Posts: 33
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I was told my doctors that either surgery is ok and they left the decision up to me. I know that TT is a more risky surgery but its the after effects that I am interested in. Is the recovery the same or easier in partial??

I am 47 years and was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. I have read and heard some fairly scary comments on the after effects of TT and am now getting really worried.

Comments

  • gwatz
    gwatz Member Posts: 1
    #2
    thyroid Cancer
    Just had my surgery on September 17, 2009 and had a total tt and it is not that bad. I had a choice before they even new I had cancer and the result was positive. Going for Radiation treatment on the 26 of this month and just started the diet.
  • emma54
    emma54 Member Posts: 59
    #3
    I had papillary thyroid
    I had papillary thyroid cancer in April 2008. I had a total thyroidectomy. All went well and I feel fine. I hope this helps to calm your fears.
  • rzemach
    rzemach Member Posts: 33
    #4
    emma54 said:

    I had papillary thyroid
    I had papillary thyroid cancer in April 2008. I had a total thyroidectomy. All went well and I feel fine. I hope this helps to calm your fears.

    thanks for this
    thanks for the comments...I have started to panic over this whole thing but its good to know that there are some "good" experiences as well.
  • TodayIsAGoodDay
    TodayIsAGoodDay Member Posts: 6
    #5
    rzemach said:

    thanks for this
    thanks for the comments...I have started to panic over this whole thing but its good to know that there are some "good" experiences as well.

    Take the whole thing out.

    Panicing is normal and ok...just don't let it go on for more then an hour or two once a day. After that it begins to be a little obbessive. I had a 2 hour panic meltdown on Saturday....trying to figure out childcare for my surgery, my mother wants to take care of me...just one thing after another. My husband is almost out of vacation time.

    The word Cancer is scarey because it's so unknown....what kind do you have, what are odds, what are the treatments? Is so different from any other illness I've ever had.

    I think go with the TT. I'm booking my 2nd surgery this week because only 1/2 was taken out the first time and now it looks there are more growths on the left. I don't even want to go through the biopsy and ulterasound game- I just want to move on. I think it will cause stress to me to not have the surgery. My Mom had thyroid cancer at 32, I'm 31. The cancer is already on the right, why chance it with the left? I'd like it gone.

    I'm not afraid of the risks, I'm afraid of reliving this nightmare of "Oh you have cancer" again.

    Have the TT and make sure you have some friends or family to support you. That is what got me through my 1st surgery.
  • rzemach
    rzemach Member Posts: 33
    #6
    TodayIsAGoodDay said:

    Take the whole thing out.

    Panicing is normal and ok...just don't let it go on for more then an hour or two once a day. After that it begins to be a little obbessive. I had a 2 hour panic meltdown on Saturday....trying to figure out childcare for my surgery, my mother wants to take care of me...just one thing after another. My husband is almost out of vacation time.

    The word Cancer is scarey because it's so unknown....what kind do you have, what are odds, what are the treatments? Is so different from any other illness I've ever had.

    I think go with the TT. I'm booking my 2nd surgery this week because only 1/2 was taken out the first time and now it looks there are more growths on the left. I don't even want to go through the biopsy and ulterasound game- I just want to move on. I think it will cause stress to me to not have the surgery. My Mom had thyroid cancer at 32, I'm 31. The cancer is already on the right, why chance it with the left? I'd like it gone.

    I'm not afraid of the risks, I'm afraid of reliving this nightmare of "Oh you have cancer" again.

    Have the TT and make sure you have some friends or family to support you. That is what got me through my 1st surgery.

    Am taking the whole thing out
    I'm glad to see that I am not the only one to panic. I am trying to keep it under control but sometimes its hard. I have never had an illness like this before either and just the word "Cancer" seems so scary.

    Thanks for your reply. My husband and I decided to "take the whole thing out" so I do not have to go through this again. It is not only stressful for me but for my family as well.

    I have two older children and a seven year old so everyone will pitch in to help. Both my mom and my in laws will also be around

    I wish you the best of luck with you surgery and I hope that your recovery will be quick.
  • LBelle
    LBelle Member Posts: 42
    #7
    Say bye bye to whole thyroid
    I don't know what exactly kind of cancer on right side I have yet but will go ahead to have a full thyroidectomy to get over with it. I already have chosen the full thyroidectomy even before an endo specialist said that my left thyroid felt "not normal".

    If you want to leave one side on, you can be prepared for another surprise, going under the knife again,more hassles to go thru and seeing the bills to double up. Cancer can be sneaky as Hell.
    Good luck!
  • grinny555
    grinny555 Member Posts: 3
    #8
    I had TT on 9/2/09 -
    I had TT on 9/2/09 - initially my Dr did biopsy on one nodule in left lobe and it came back papillary cancer. After the surgery, they found 2 more, 1 being in the right lobe. I was also given the choice before the surgery for partial or total, and am very glad I opted for total! I did also have some problems with my vocal cords, and 1 is paralyzed. It did not get cut so only time will tell if it will get better, small price to pay I say, and my children think its great that mom can not yell anymore! lol, good luck to you, only you can decide what you are comfortable with. When is your surgery?
  • rzemach
    rzemach Member Posts: 33
    #9
    grinny555 said:

    I had TT on 9/2/09 -
    I had TT on 9/2/09 - initially my Dr did biopsy on one nodule in left lobe and it came back papillary cancer. After the surgery, they found 2 more, 1 being in the right lobe. I was also given the choice before the surgery for partial or total, and am very glad I opted for total! I did also have some problems with my vocal cords, and 1 is paralyzed. It did not get cut so only time will tell if it will get better, small price to pay I say, and my children think its great that mom can not yell anymore! lol, good luck to you, only you can decide what you are comfortable with. When is your surgery?

    Surgery on Oct 14th
    Thanks for the comments. My surgery is on Oct 14th and I will opt for the TT since I don't want to go through this again. I hope that all goes well.
  • LBelle
    LBelle Member Posts: 42
    #10
    rzemach said:

    Surgery on Oct 14th
    Thanks for the comments. My surgery is on Oct 14th and I will opt for the TT since I don't want to go through this again. I hope that all goes well.

    Keep us updated!
    I know your surgery will be successful and also you'll recover pretty good.

    I will have surgery next month hopefully.

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