Post Radiation - Parathyroid Adenoma & Papillary Thyroid Cancer

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1957-2057
1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
edited August 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Not sure of the connection or not. Finished my radiation in February 2016. Taking Anastrosole since then. April Oncologist visit tells me to see my PCP my calcium is high, I had already been cut from the beginning on supplements because my level was "a little high". I googled high calcium thinking what can I do to reduce it? Drink more, exercise?

Google linked me to hypoparathyroidism, when I read the symptoms I wanted to scream "hey this is me" (inability to stay asleep at night, sore joints, stiff joints, insane ringing in my ears and horrible fatigue).

So I print that out and go directly to my PCP and make an appointment with my ENT (I have a history of benign thyroid nodules). PCP sends me for Parathyroid blood test and ultrasound of thyroid. Parathyroid hormone is elevated 20 points. I go to ENT he is in agreement with Parathyroid and wants test to see if there is an adenoma but also wants a CT scan with contrast on the thyroid and lymph nodes near my thyroid. So I have a radioactive scan for the parathyroid and CT scan. Now ENT wants biopsy on lymph nodes near my thyroid. He confirms the parathyroid adenoma and sets me appointment with surgeon and waits for biopsy to come back. Well it did, Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Luckily I already have the appointment with the surgeon so now we are out for another cancer ride.

Much of the reading I have done points to possible links between these things and breast cancer. I do not know of any studies. Many places on here I have read where people worried about the radiation and the link. I realize that BC radiation it is targeted to a specific area but for some reason it bothered me that every day I went for radiation they did two chest x-rays to make sure my positioning was good. Those were not targeted beams. Two x-rays every day for 32 to 34 days of treatment, that always made me nervous.

I go August 22 to the surgeon. The big C word has not terrified me this time, I don't know why but I feel like I got this one. I will keep you all posted and hope to possibly join with others who may be on the same journey.

Come sit in my boat


Helen


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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    Did the radiation include the thyroid and clavicle area? Did they say radiation caused your thyroid cancer? Will you send the link that made you realize you had those symptoms? I have them too. There is a forum here for thyroid. So sorry you will lose yours? Or just the parathyroid

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2017

    The daily chest x-rays covered my neck area. The doctor did not say one directly caused the other but there is a lot out there about a possible connection of the parathyroid and breast cancer and also thyroid and breast cancer and both and receiving radiation. Here is a link to parathyroid symptoms http://www.parathyroid.com/parathyroid-symptoms.ht...

    I see the surgeon on the 22nd. Right now I know they will take at least 1 of the 4 parathyroids, all if not part of the thyroid and some lymph nodes.

    I had pushed so many of my symptoms to side affects of the Anastrosole until I went looking for reasons for the high calcium. Mine was not dangerously high but above normal enough that my Oncologist wanted me to check into it further.

    I hope your symptoms are just side affects.

    I will look again for the thyroid forum - thanks


    Helen



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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    I have two nodules and have already had a US but they aren't big enough to biopsy...yet. Told to come back in January. Also told whole breast radiation has no splatter. I was not impressed with specialist, he did no panel of tests and he doesn't want to be my dr. unless I get cancer. He said so, not in those words. Have had hypo since 2000, probably undiagnosed from 1987. I'll check your link. Oh and he said it was autoimmune, my thyroid is being absorbed back into my body. My synthroid medis low at 75. How high was your calcium? Were you taking supplements when you were tested? Thx!

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    ha! I have most of the symptoms. This is funny - Since parathyroid gland disease (hyperparathyroidism) was first described in 1925, the symptoms have become known as "moans, groans, stones, and bones...with psychic overtones".

    Going to check the app

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2017

    They put me on calcium before my radiation and took me off after my first bloodwork said it was too high. It has stayed in the high 10's low 11's I guess that is why they told me to see my PCP. Good luck to you with your thyroid issues.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    So are we talking about calcium level on the metabolic test? Or a different test. I checked in Feb mine was 9.7 but I was taking 400 elemental calcium in the morning and at night = 800 per endocrinologist. Plus I eat dairy. However I have calcifications everywhere. In my thyroid nodules, my heart valve, the DCIS they removed, gallstones and one kidney stone. I switched to plant based recently because the Tums that I was taking and told to take by the endocrinologist, are antacids and block nutrient absorption.

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited August 2017

    Well read up on the parathyroid and ask for them to run the test on it. I have had thyroid nodules for years and they never ran PTH before. That was elevated. From what I read calcium is usually high but sometimes not. It's another blood test and couldn't hurt to run it.


    Good luck

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    Thanks for reminding me about that test. I have to wait until I see my PCP or my endocrinologist. Guess I'll be bringing more back up articles. They hate that. I have to look out for myself

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  • SmartH
    SmartH Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2017

    THANK YOU for posting the link for the parathyroid website! I thought that my breast cancer was a result of my poor diet and lifestyle, but having read what this link said about hyperparathyroidism made me realize that maybe my cancer wasn't my fault. I had hyperparathyroidism 17 years ago, found by a dangerous amount of calcium in my blood from a routine blood lab. The freaky thing is, one of my parathyroid glands FELL OFF. They found it during an MRI, so they had to collapse one of my lungs in order to get it out. Wow. I'm so relieved to think that maybe I may not have to blame myself for my breast cancer.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited October 2017

    Thyroid Cancer is the Fastest-Growing Cancer in America

    Rates are higher in women than men

    by Cheryl Bond-Nelms, AARP, July 5, 2017|Comments: 17


    Nearly three out of four cases of thyroid cancer are found in women.

    Although the death rate from cancer in America is down 25 percent since 1991, there is one type of cancer rapidly increasing in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer has tripled over the last three decades, making it the fastest-growing cancer.

    The thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck, shaped like a butterfly. It produces hormones that enter the bloodstream and affect the metabolism, heart, brain, muscles and liver, and keep the body functioning properly and effectively.

    The estimates for cases of thyroid cancer in America for 2017 have increased, and rates are higher in women than men, according to these figures published on cancer.org.

    • In 2017, there will be an estimated 56,870 new cases of thyroid cancer — 42,470 in women and 14,400 in men.
    • An estimated 2,010 deaths will result from thyroid cancer — 1,090 in women and 920 in men.

    Women account for nearly three-quarters of thyroid cancer cases. The exact cause of most thyroid cancers is unknown. Research has concluded that better imaging technology has increased the number of thyroid cancer cases diagnosed.

    "Much of this rise appears to be the result of the increased use of thyroid ultrasound, which can detect small thyroid nodules that might not otherwise have been found in the past," the American Cancer Society says.

    What are the signs or symptoms related to thyroid cancer? The American Cancer Society lists the following on cancer.org:

    • A lump in the neck, sometimes growing quickly
    • Swelling in the neck
    • Pain in the front of the neck, sometimes going up to the ears
    • Hoarseness or other voice changes that do not go away
    • Trouble swallowing
    • Trouble breathing
    • A constant cough that is not due to a cold

    Talk with your doctor immediately if you have any of the signs or symptoms associated with thyroid cancer. Noncancerous conditions or even other cancers can also cause many of the symptoms.

    How can you protect yourself?

    Experts say most people found to have thyroid cancer have no known risk factors, and so emphasize that most cases can not be prevented. Professionals suggest regular self-exams to catch thyroid changes in the earliest stages as one of the best means of protection.

    Here are five steps to performing a self-exam from thyroidawareness.com:

    1. Hold a mirror in your hand, focusing on the lower front area of your neck, above the collarbones and below the voice box (larynx).
    2. While focusing on this area in the mirror, tip your head back.
    3. Take a drink of water and swallow.
    4. As you swallow, look at your neck. Check for any bulges or protrusions in this area when you swallow. Reminder: Don't confuse the Adam's apple with the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located farther down the neck, closer to the collarbone. You may want to repeat this process several times.
    5. If you see any bulges or protrusions in this area, see your physician. You may have an enlarged thyroid gland or a thyroid nodule that should be checked to determine whether further evaluation is needed.

    Health professionals estimate that 15 million Americans have undiagnosed thyroid problems. The good news is that the survival rate of thyroid cancer patients is higher than for most other cancers. Early detection of thyroid cancer can open up more treatment options. You can also ask your doctor to check your thyroid health with a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test, a blood test that can determine whether the gland is functioning normally.

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