About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Question Hello Karen
My 48 yr old sister died last yr. medullary thyroid cancer found too late.
I had a dark discoloration come up on my back also at that time, found on internet it is called notaglia some times a marker for throid cancer-------------
doctors said no--- way---- lisa's cancer was a fluke- I had nothing to worry about and they should not do any testing on me- a waste of time and money --I have no insurance.
I coughed up blood (they found no reason for it) on 2 differnt times-
and had throat problems feels like my throat want to close up some times.
Last week by accident- they found a nodule in rt thyroid.
rad. report; says there are 2 complex lesions on rt. thyroid lobe---and a cystic mass of the rt. lobe 0.2cm x 0.2cm
now they insist that I have a nuclear scan, going tomorrow
any advice --------------thank you so much-jonni
Answer Dear Jonni, My advise is that you have the nuclear scan done and also, I would advise that you do NOT let the doctors talk you into a Fine Needle Biopsy since they are NOT 100% accurate for the diagnosis of any type of thyroid cancer.....
Since you have a family history or medullary thyroid cancer and since it can be a predisposition factor in YOU getting thyroid cancer (hereditary), "IF" I were in your shoes, I would have the thyroid removed and biopsied and this includes both the right and left thyroid glands even though there is nothing found on the left side "YET"....
I would also educate myself, since you now know that these doctors you were talk to don't know what they were talking about and DEMAND that they send you to someone who knows about medullary thyroid cancer and other thyroid cancer and EDUCATE yourself by doing research on the interenet...
I recommend yahoo as the search engine and they put in the search words
medullary thyroid cancer and heredity
