Question regarding possible ties between testicular cancer and thyroid cancer

[Rob2time]

Well the "good news" is that my second surviellance testing for testicular cancer went well. Unfortunately however during a previous CT chest the radiologist noticed something odd about my thyroid and recommended that I have an ultrasound done. I did that as part of this round of testing and unfortunately it showed a 2.5 cm mass. I am getting a biopsy done on the 12th.

My oncologist feels that this isn't related to my TC, however, he feels there is a possibility that it could be the result of my radiation that i had in 1973.

Is anyone aware of any relationship between TC or radiation and Thyroid Cancer?

[Scott]

I'm not sure about a link with radiation therapy for testicular cancer. Sloan's web site says, "The most common cause of thyroid cancer is significant exposure to radiation, either from the environment or as a result of prior medical treatment where radiation was applied to the head and neck area."

[Rob2time]

Scott,

OK, that may be it. In 1973 I had TC and also had it in my abdomen and my lungs. So I had 6 weeks lower and 6 weeks upper. Maybe that is what my oncologist was referring to.

Thanks,

Rob

[Scott]

Also, according to this site, "Most thyroid lumps are not cancer.... Only about 1 in 20 thyroid lumps are cancer."

[Already Bald]

Rob,
I sure am sorry to read your post. I will pray that your biopsy comes back benign. All the best,
Joe

[Scott]

I am getting a biopsy done on the 12th.

Good luck on Thursday, Rob. I hope you get good news!

[Rob2time]

Hello everyone,

The biopsy was difficult, they ended up needing to get 4 samples. I recieved the results from the doctor, and the results were "suspicious" which means that although the tumors were not for sure cancerous, there was enought indications that they may be.

I will need to get another test, but it is likely I will need to get my thyroid removed.

Overall, I feel I made good choices in 1973 to take the radiation for my TC, which saved my life. I've had 34 years of happiness, and I am planning on 34 more (or more!). I knew at the time that there may be some long term effects of the treatment, but I had faith in the progress of medical science. I felt that whatever came, I would be OK. I still feel the same way.

So for all of you who are younger with TC, and reading this post, when I look back the best thing I did was to acccept the treatments my doctors offered, take the time out of my career and personal life to get better, and then tackle life with the focus and the enthusiasm of someone who was given a second chance.

Livestrong my friends,

Rob

[Already Bald]

Good luck on your next test Rob, hopefully you will come up negative and can keep your thyroid. Your attitude is pure gold. Many years ago you made a choice to save your life, and it was the right choice. Now you move forward with what you have to deal with, and make your second chance worth it.
LiveSTRONG

[Lori]

I just had dinner with a close friend who 7 years ago at the age of 28 was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had surgery and chemo, but no radiation. She was 4 months past her 5 year date when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had hers removed, went through treatment and is doing awesome 18 months later. Horrible to know that there could be secondary concerns that arise due to the decisions made at the time to save our lifes - but whether or not the thyroid cancer was from the breast cancer treatment - she is alive and doing great.

Good luck to you!