Thyroid cancer is the fastest increasing cancer in both men and women. It often begins as a seemingly innocuous lump in the neck, sore throat, or hoarseness. Most often thyroid cancer is confined to the neck and can be easily removed with surgery, however, advanced thyroid cancer is incurable. Though effective treatments exist for patients with metastatic thyroid cancer, including surgery and radioactive iodine, these therapies are not without side effects and do not eradicate the disease.
Lindsey’s disease over the years metastasized across her entire body, including her bones, major organs and within the brain. Having endured traditional avenues of treatment, Lindsey was enrolled in clinical trials at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and the University of Pennsylvania, with the hope of finding the drug and/ or chemical “cocktail” that would stabilize, and possibly cure, her disease. Over the course of the 11 years, she endured surgeries to the thyroid and brain, radioactive iodine radiation, stereotactic radiation (for brain tumors), radiation to the femur and multiple rounds of experimental chemotherapy. She continuously battled through the side effects of the radiations and chemotherapy, such as mouth sores, hair loss, joint aches, and skin rashes. Even at the very end, Lindsey continued to fight and demonstrated an indomitable spirit, unending optimism, and envious love for life. She faced every battle without ever complaining and stayed optimistic that the treatments would allow her more time to spend with her husband, her parents, her family and close friends.
It is believed that Lindsey had the cancer for many years before getting diagnosed; given how big her tumor was and that thyroid cancer is a slow-growing disease. If only she or a doctor checked her neck, we believe it could have been found earlier and possibly not spread all over her body and into her bones. Hence we need to educate the public to check their necks!
Dr. Marcia Brose, MD, PhD, formally with the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, joined Jefferson Health (SKCC) in Fall 2021 as Vice Chair of Medical Oncology and SKCC Regional Chief of Cancer Services at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia
Dr. Brose was instrumental in giving Lindsey more time with her family. Her research has helped hundreds of patients and Thyroid Hope continues to support the work she is doing with her team to ensure fewer and fewer people lose their loved ones to this disease.
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