Pregnancy before treatment for thyroid cancer?
Posted , 2 users are following.
I am a 35 year old female. I received biopsy results 4 months ago that show that I thyroid cancer. My TSH levels are normal (but those are the only labs that were done). I have been waiting since receiving those results to see a specialist to even start coming up with a treatment plan. I'm not sure how much longer the wait will be, so I'm hoping to get some advice.
I am 35, so am worried about the 'clock' running down. We were planning to start a family this year. I am wondering if anyone can comment on how risky it would be to start trying to get pregnant now, before treating this? I know that thyroid cancer is generally very treatable and outcome are usually good (so it might not be too selfish to think family could still be an option). I've also read that pregnancy does not worsen this type of cancer (as it does with others) and delaying treatment for one year (where cancer is discovered during pregnancy) does not generally worsen the outcome, but that pregnancy can be difficult after treatment. Considering my age, that's a worrisome thought, especially since I have not idea when I will even start treatment. That all seems promising, but there's a catch... this doesn't seem to be 'slow growing'.
The primary mass is >4 cm at my last scan, but i have multiple other smaller nodules. In the time since it was discovered (8 months), the nodule(s) have gone from barely palpable to plainly visible, with diffuse swelling on one side. On a whole, it's causing some very uncomfortable pressure, which seems to be worsening. Even though I know thyroid cancers do tend to be slow growing, the recent changes scare me.
I had the thyroid u/s about 6 months ago, followed by FNA and core biopsy. The U/S was full of red-flags that my doc seems to have missed (delaying the referral for another two months until the biopsy results came in). Both biopsies came back as suspicious as either papillary or folicular neoplasm.
The nodule was first discovered on an MRI of my spine because of still unexplained pain in my spine and pelvis that I've been working with a physiotherapist to treat for over a year... I've got killer abs and can function better now, but I still have a lot pain (even with rx anti-inflammatory meds). Until I was sidelined by the back pain, I was an athlete and very healthy. I also have a new, visible raised 'lump' on one of my ribs right near my sternum. I am hoping is just from the weird posture correction the pressure in my neck causes, but I am a little concerned all of this may be bone metastases. That's probably crazy, but it is possible. I had pain in that area for month before the lump showed up (rather quickly), but didn't think it merited talking to a doc about. I plan to talk to my physio this week though.
My family doctor does not want to answer any questions about anything and doesn't want me to contact her about this since there's an outstanding referral (even though I have yet to see or even hear from the specialist about an appointment and things are changing). It's terribly frustrating.... and so I'm turning here.
Any thoughts (beside the obvious comments about totally disappointing medical support) would be appreciated.
0 likes, 3 replies
marilyn10235 lauren29352
Posted
You really need your GP to get onto the Endocrinologist & get your referral! You cannot get anywhere until you see the Endocrinologist! She may not want to speak to you about this but her duty as your primary health practicioner means she must send off that referral & chase the referral if you haven't heard! 4 months is a ridiculously long time to wait for a referral! Esp a cancer referral! Where are you in the world? I'd like to think not the UK as even with the cuts you have certain rights & most GPs understand the mental anguish that a cancer diagnosis brings. Ring your practice manager & start to make a fuss! You need that referral ASAP! Your pastoral care has been appalling! I would be complaining to anyone in Authority who would listen!!
As for pregnancy whilst undergoing treatment, Thyroid cancer is usually survivable & usually one the easiest to treat depending on type. I had a follicular carcinoma & my Thyroid removed in 2014. The usual treatment is thyroidectomy & radioiodine (RAI), unfortunately I couldn't have RAI as I also had Thyroid Eye Disease, so after the op, I was put on high dose levothyroxine, which over the last 4 years had now been titrated down to 100mcg. As you've probably read Thyroid cancer isn't treated with chemotherapy, & radiotherapy is only given in extreme cases.
That being the case although not a given that pregnancy would be ok with Thyroid cancer I don't know if I would risk RAI whilst pregnant. Also if this is fast growing you need definitive answers now!! A wish washy diagnosis of either papillary or follicular is not good enough! The be all and end all in this is, you need to see an Endocrinologist ASAP no ifs or buts, now. End of!
Is there any way you could afford to see an Endocrinologist privately in the 1st instance? At least to get your foot in the door.
I'm sorry I can't really help you in any way. You really need specialist help & advice & you need it NOW.
I hope you get to see someone soon. Please keep in touch & let me know how you are getting on.
Marilyn
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lauren29352 marilyn10235
Posted
Thank you for your reply, Marilyn. You're absolutely right. The endless delays are nonsense. Your story also snapped me back into reality of exactly how tough the next while is going to be.
The idea of starting a family in the midst of that was kind of insane (for more reasons than 'just' cancer) -- a moment of weakness after finding out my younger brother and his wife are pregnant again. Years ago, she and I had made a deal to be on mat leave together.
After calling several local ear nose and throat docs I finally found the one who I've been referred to. Apparently there's a one-year wait list for the first consultation because he's triaged me as 'non-urgent' (but only received 1/2 the pathology info). Apparently waits for surgery are just as long after that. I'm shattered.
I've made an appointment to see my GP (who can't see me for two weeks!) and managed to be loud enough to get a second ultrasound ordered to prove just how much bigger the 'situation' has gotten over such a short period of time. Hopefully those results will bump me up higher in the list, or she'll see fit to refer me to a different surgeon out of town with a shorter wait list.
I'm in Canada -- apparently demonstrating the draw backs of universal health care. The only way to get privatized care here (that I'm aware of anyway) would be to cross the border to the USA and pay out of pocket. As much as I would love to, it's just not possible. Changing doctors is equally impossible. Most GPs have a 3-5 year wait list for new patients... especially if you already have one.
Sarcastically, the one thing I've learned this week is that the one thing I don't have to worry about would be that getting pregnant would interfere with treatment ... I would have a toddler (and a thyroid that's absolutely strangling me) before getting treated anyway!
marilyn10235 lauren29352
Posted
Oh Lauren, I really feel for you! You're in limbo aren't you! And I thought things were bad here in the NHS! People over here really don't know how lucky they are!
I hope you can get somewhere with your GP, even if you do have to wait 2 weeks, that's familiar to us here all non urgent GP appts are at least 2 weeks away! Even though I would class yours as being urgent!? Anyway I hope you can get something sorted quicker than it looks to be.
And yes thyroidectomy or just Thyroid treatment whilst looking after a little one would be hard. Even if they start to correct a Thyroid imbalance, being optimistic, it can take months & months to feel any better so you are wise to look at pregnancy in the future at the moment I'm sorry to say!
Our health can certainly trample all over our dreams can't it
I wish you all the best, stay in touch as I would like to know how you are doing.
Marilyn
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