Thyroid cancer or not?

[janeb15]

I know nothing about thyroid cancer, or if indeed this article has already been brought to the attention of members. It was sent to me by a third party and may be of interest to some members here. Jane x

jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[Clutter]

Thanks Janeb15.

A non-invasive tumour which rarely caused adverse events was reclassified to remove the term 'cancer' to reduce psychological and clinical diagnosis associated with cancer diagnoses.

There are still several different thyroid cancers unfortunately.

[janeb15 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter. As I say I know nothing about thyroid cancer, but I do think it's VERY important for those coming to this site for help to be given as much information as possible. Jane x

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

janeb15,

So, for years, these "thyroid tumors currently diagnosed as noninvasive EFVPTC" have been diagnosed and treated by the experts, worldwide, as thyroid cancer.

Now, the self-same experts are saying "Hold on! No, these tumours aren't really cancer. Or at least, they don't need radio-active iodine treatment and can have reduced long-term surveillance."

Note - these are exactly the same people, in exactly the same institutions. Why should we have trusted them last year with one interpretation and course of treatment, and trust them this year with a different interpretation and course of treatment?

Just as you, Jane, I know next to nothing about any cancer. It doesn't instil the confidence I'd wish to have had I been given a diagnosis of noninvasive EFVPTC that was changed to NIFTP.

They clearly are supremely confident in that they expect every other expert in the world to change to their approach and prevent psychological impact, reduce effects of thyroidectomy (etc.) and save lots of money.

They might be right. I have no idea!

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

After I had my thyroid removed in Oct 2015 the lump which was 4cm in size it was sent to the lab for checking. When I saw the surgeon again he informed me that it contained only 1.5th papillary cancer and therefore decided to treat me with a suppressed TSH and that's all.

This eminent professor of sixty plus years informed me that there was such a small risk that I would never have to worry about re occurrence. I trusted him and his experience to be right.

[Hidden]

sorry it would have been interesting but I cannot get the PDF to open!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Hidden]

I didn’t view the pdf - just the webpage. You need to sign up to access the pdf.

[Hidden]

Yes, but I didn't want any more unwanted emails, thank you for that.