I have 5 nodules greater than 1 cm. Should I have a FNA?
I got the results today and it has to be repeated. I am bummed:
DIAGNOSIS: LEFT THYROID (FNA): Predominantly blood with focal colloid. No epithelial cells identified.
COMMENT: The specimen is nondiagnostic. Followup as clinically indicated is recommended.
Thank you Dr. for answering my question. The endo who did ultrasound FNA seemed concerned because the nodule is vascular on the inside of the nodule as opposed to the periphery of it. She said this makes a difference.
So my question is: if the biopsy comes back negative, would they want to remove the left lobe anyway because there are growths on it? Here is what the report said:
"The left lobe measures 4.7x1.2x1.2cm and contains several masses. A solid, hypervascular mass that's in the lower pole and measures about 1.1x.9x.8cm. A second heterogeneous ovoid-shaped mass is in the interpolar region. It measures about 1.1x.6x.9cm. A third small solid appearing mass is in the upper pole on the left side measuring 3x3x2mm. The isthmus measures about 15mm.
IMPRESSION: There is diminished uptake evident in the left lower pole. No clear focus of abnormal uptake is evident in the upper pole although heterogeneity in this area is noted. The findings are not typical for multi-nodular goiter, these lesions should be followed as clinically indicated. Normal I131 uptake and normal TSH indicates overall normal function of the thyroid gland. If neoplastic disease is strongly suspected would suggest biopsy of left lower pole nodule."
My TSH was 2.6.
Thank you once again,
Lil
I forgot to add that both nodules are nonfunctioning and occupy the left lobe.
There is a chance of malignancy - a "normal" FNA is about 98% confidence of benign - the radiation exposure as a child is a concern. Usually the thyroid has to be quite enlarged and compressing the esophagus to cause problems swallowing. The ear pain may be some irritation of the nerve by the thyroid. This is a tough situation - while thyroid surgery would answer the cancer question definitively and remove the thyroid as a cause of the other symtpoms, it is an invasive procedure and you would need synthroid (or the like) for life.