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Hurthle cells

I am hyperthyroid with toxic multi nodular goiter. I had a radioactive uptake and scan done in which they found a few cold nodules with several hot nodules.  I had one of the cold nodules biopsied and the FNA results state that my specimen had follicular cells of uncertain significance... abundant watery colloid and groups of hurthle cells. Are hurthle cells actually cancer cells? Isn't watery colloid typical of thyroid cells? My doctor wants me to have surgery.   Comparison of my ultrasounds shows no significant growth of this nodule within 4 years. Would you recommend surgery for a patient from this biopsy report?
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97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hurthle cells are part of normal thyroid but in some cases can be suspicious for a hurthle cancer.  Would have the FNA slides sent to an expert thyroid cytopathologist (eg, Nicole Massoll at U Arkansas or Zubair Baloch at U Penn) -- if still potentially suspicious, then there is an up to 20% chance of cancer and surgery would address this as well as the toxic nodular thyroid.
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Avatar universal
I followed your advice Dr Lupo and sent my pathology slides to Dr. Massoll and my report from her was negative for malignancy.  Thank you so very much for being available on this forum to offer an additional medical opinion when we don't know where to go for help. You have saved me from an unnecessary surgery and I am very grateful.
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