| | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | I am about 2 months post radiation treatment. I had 35 treatments. I had a follow up ultrasound of my neck done yesterday. While no suspicious lymph nodes were found, a cyst on the left thyroid was found. It is about 1.5cm. My cancer originated on the right side of my anterior tongue. The ultrasound guy said the cyst was very vascular and that is generally a good thing. He said most of the time the cysts are just watched but because of my history they might order a biopsy. Sure enough, my doctor called me later that day and did want a biopsy of the cyst. He said they are not exactly uncommon in women my age (31) and it was most likely benign. I also have a history of hypothyroidism. Just wondering if anyone has had any similar thyroid cysts post radiation. I have read that radiation to the head and neck are a risk factor for thyroid cancer and radiation can cause other thyroid issues.
And I am going to get the biopsy to be on the safe side. After all I have been through I am now a member of the "ain't messing around crew" when it comes to stuff like this.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | It was 33 treatment, not 35 (how could I forget that!)
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 | No thyroid cysts were noted on J's first MRI that was done before treatment. But,the reading radiologist mentioned thyroid cysts on the report for the 2nd MRI which was done after treatment.
He only had a couple of trips to the table for IMRT to the entire area (which may not have been appropriate since there wasn't a tumor or specific treatment area.) His thyroid was in the field of radiation.
According to the report, they were very small, colloid cysts, and most likely benign.
Ex-spouse MISDIAGNOSED with SCC-HN IVa 12/10. Tonsils out 1/11. 4 teeth out 2/11. TX Erbitux x2, IMRT x2 2/11. 2nd opinion-benign BCC-NOT CANCER 3/11. TX stopped 3/11. New doctors 4/11. ENT agrees with 2nd opinion 5/11. ENT scoped him-all clear 7/11. Ordered MRI anyway. MRI 8/22/11 Result-all clear.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | My thyroid cyst/nodule was biopsied and came back....BENIGN! What a wonderful word!!! And it was described as a colloid nodule on the report.
I finished my treatments at the end of October. I am already almost completely back to normal. I can eat just about anything, I just have to eat smaller bites. And nothing too spicy, still not eating salsa or pepperoni pizza. The worse problem I have now is dry mouth. I just make sure I have water nearby at all times. I am so happy - it seems like my life is getting back to normal. I even got a recent promotion at my work. I feel so blessed, I am truly thankful to God.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 |
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Cherri, congrats on the great news! Keep up the good work with your recovery! Posts like yours help new members understand they can get thru this and go on to lead mostly normal lives again when its over. Be well!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 | Hi Cheri!
Wonderful news!!! It makes me wonder about the correlation between radiation and colloid cysts. hmmmmm....
Despite the miles between and that we're talking through the computer, I can truly feel how joyful you are about your recovery and about the blessings in your life! And, congratulations on your promotion!
In addition to surviving, you are thriving!
Sandy
xoxox
Ex-spouse MISDIAGNOSED with SCC-HN IVa 12/10. Tonsils out 1/11. 4 teeth out 2/11. TX Erbitux x2, IMRT x2 2/11. 2nd opinion-benign BCC-NOT CANCER 3/11. TX stopped 3/11. New doctors 4/11. ENT agrees with 2nd opinion 5/11. ENT scoped him-all clear 7/11. Ordered MRI anyway. MRI 8/22/11 Result-all clear.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 | Cherri, congrats. Hearing the word benign is so great, isn't it!
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Surviving and thriving! I like that Sandy! That's exactly what I'm doing.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
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