Microcalcification sensitivity

[rohit78]

Hello Dr Mark,

Does Microcalcification in complex heterogenous nodule with cystic areas always indicate malignancy?
Also is it tryue that Ultrasound detection of Micricalcification has low senstivity (around 40%)..which means wrongly detected as positive?

These answers will be of great help to me.
Thnks again

[cody12]

Hi,
I can understand your anxiety. I did not have calcifications but internal vascularity and searched all over the internet for answers!!  I just had my FNA last Thursday. From what I understand, no one can give you a definite answer about anything until your FNA. From what I've read about calcifications it all depends upon how they look on US, some may be benign and others have a more specific look to them that can often point to malignancy.

[rohit78]

Thank you very much for  the prompt response!!

Just wanted to calrify one more point. Assuming that Ultrasound correctly detected Microcalcification, is it still possible that the nodule could be benign?

Thnks again for your guidance.
Rohit

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

True microcalcifications are associated with papillary thyroid cancer, and biopsy is indicated to further evaluate.  But microcalcifications are somewhat subjective (meaning other things sometimes appear to be microcalcifications-- in either case biopsy is necessary (under ultrasound guidance).

[rohit78]

Yeah!! we did it in st peters hospital , very professional people. Morever our doctor had asked hospital to fax the report instead of send thru regular mail which takes aditional few days....

[cody12]

WOW!! Thank you for letting me know!! That is why it is so important to have an FNA! I had internal vascularity and your wife had the microcalcifications and we both had a benign outcome. I am so thrilled that you got such a quick result. In one day!! That is wonderful news!!

[rohit78]

it turned out to be benign!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

microcalcifications are only a suspicious characteristic, not diagnostic of malignancy -- FNA is the key here.

[cody12]

Hi Rohit,
I completely understand. I scheduled my FNA,  6 weeks after I had my ultrasound, which probably was not a good idea!! During that time I probably spent 20 hours looking up on the internet what it means to have internal vascularity within a thyroid nodule. Although they say it can raise the suspicion of malignancy there are many times where a benign nodule has internal vascularity too.

I will be thinking of your wife!! I know it is hard to wait. Please let us know how it goes.

[rohit78]

Cody I appreciate your quick response.

Thanks you very much. My wife is scheduled to have US guided FNA on april 30. She is 26 .

Hence little anxious.
Thnks again for your help,
Rohit