Thyroid Nodule

[michele826]

I have a 3.3 centimeter nodule w/ultrasound and benign FNA results.  Doctor is recommending surgical removal of nodule due to size and confirmation of non-malignant.  I am not looking forward to surgery, however, want to do what is best in the long term.  Your thoughts?  thank you.

[michele826]

thank you for your comments thus far.  What is the risk in leaving this size nodule alone and just following up in 6 months?  Also, I have a second nodule on the left side (7mm, ill-defined borders) that we are going to follow every 6 months.  I wonder if it is advisable to watch both and make a decision later....depends on the risk of leaving the large nodule intact.  I would like to avoid further complications or difficulty removing it should it continue to grow.  Your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

2 sets of negative FNA makes the "negative" part more likely. One negative FNA carries about a 7% risk of cancer according to a recent study.  So on larger nodules or nodules with suspicious ultrasound features may require a second biopsy.

The nodule is not likely impacting energy levels if the thyroid function is normal.

[michele826]

i am unsure of what you mean by "improves the sensitivity for large nodules."  Please explain.  Also, I am always tired and have very little energy.  Even though my thyroid readins are in the normal range, could the tumor impact how I feel?  Thank you.  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It depends.  There is no strict size cut-off for surgery.  If the FNA is benign and there are no compressive symptoms then sometimes for nodules >3cm I repeat the FNA as a second FNA that is benign improves the sensititvity for large nodules.