Well, the oncologist did not exactly said I have cancer, yet.
According to biopsy result, I was on stage V of Bethesda Diagnostic category with 60% - 75% risk of malignancy.
At this point, surgery is necessary. Whether partial or full thyroidectomy, that depends on several things:
1. Partial thyroidectomy
The oncologist will take out my left thyroid gland. During surgery, a frozen pathology report will be conducted. If the sample appears benign, the oncologist will not take out the rest of my thyroid gland. Unfortunately, frozen pathology report conducted during surgery was not 100% accurate. Some samples will be also sent for full pathology test in which takes about a week for the result. If final pathology report showed malignancy, I must go to my second surgery for a full thyroidectomy.
2. Full thyroidectomy
First plan was to remove the left thyroid. However, if the oncologist saw any sign of malignancy, or the frozen pathology test during the surgery showed malignancy, he will take out my right thyroid as well.
I wanted to go under the knife immediately, but my oncologist had to leave the country until early May 2018. He actually offered to refer me to another surgical oncologist, if I wanted the surgery done as soon as possible.
I was very confident with my current oncologist, so the thought of going to another oncologist was a bit disturbing. When asked what if I postponed the surgery after he returns, he said that papillary thyroid carcinoma is slow-growing. Postponing the surgery until early May 2018 would still be okay
I made up my mind. Believing that he is my best option, I'd go with dr. Bayu Brahma.
According to biopsy result, I was on stage V of Bethesda Diagnostic category with 60% - 75% risk of malignancy.
At this point, surgery is necessary. Whether partial or full thyroidectomy, that depends on several things:
1. Partial thyroidectomy
The oncologist will take out my left thyroid gland. During surgery, a frozen pathology report will be conducted. If the sample appears benign, the oncologist will not take out the rest of my thyroid gland. Unfortunately, frozen pathology report conducted during surgery was not 100% accurate. Some samples will be also sent for full pathology test in which takes about a week for the result. If final pathology report showed malignancy, I must go to my second surgery for a full thyroidectomy.
2. Full thyroidectomy
First plan was to remove the left thyroid. However, if the oncologist saw any sign of malignancy, or the frozen pathology test during the surgery showed malignancy, he will take out my right thyroid as well.
I wanted to go under the knife immediately, but my oncologist had to leave the country until early May 2018. He actually offered to refer me to another surgical oncologist, if I wanted the surgery done as soon as possible.
I was very confident with my current oncologist, so the thought of going to another oncologist was a bit disturbing. When asked what if I postponed the surgery after he returns, he said that papillary thyroid carcinoma is slow-growing. Postponing the surgery until early May 2018 would still be okay
I made up my mind. Believing that he is my best option, I'd go with dr. Bayu Brahma.
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