I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid cancer last year. I had no lymph node involvement nor metastasis. My thyroid was removed and I had a radioactive iodine dose of 50 mci. A year later, I have a tumor on my hypo pharynx that is malignant. Is it possible that this is metastasis from my thyroid cancer?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. The thyroid gland and hypopharynx are located close to each other. It is possible that after removal of thyroid, the cells have persisted in adjacent tissues and multiplied with time. This has happened even after you have been given radiation treatment following surgery. It will help to review your scans and know the exact anatomical location of the hypopharynx mass and it's relating to the post-operative site. Any lymph node swelling also needs to be evaluated and treated. In your case it is more likely that the tumor in hypopharynx is part of the cancer process that started in the thyroid a year back and continues to infiltrate in to the surrounding structures. Please have a CT scan or MRI scan of your neck after discussing with your doctor and take more intensive treatment for the mass in hypopharynx.