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Thyroid Cancer, Nodules & Hyperthyroidism (Expert Forum)
is this normal?
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Mark Lupo, MD. Topics covered include Goiter, Graves Disease, Hyperthyroid, Parathyroid/Calcium Problems, Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Nodules/Cysts, Thyroiditis, Thyroid & Pregnancy, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroid Tests, and Thyroid Surgery.
is this normal?
by phily68, Oct 08, 2009 01:05PM
recently (after many months of fatigue, muscle twitches etc, etc) and tonnes of neurological tests (all clear) it was discovered that I have a 3 1/2 cm solid cold nodule on my right lobe. Ultrasound, ct scan and FNA biopsy performed (benign). The ct results showed that the Thyroid gland on the right is approx. 3 times bigger then the left one. The nodule is also pressing on my windpipe. The doc. wants to take my right thyroid out and have a biopsy performed on it. If the results are cancer they want to remove the entire thyroid. My thyroid bloods (free t3's, t4's and tsh ) have come back normal. My questions are:
1 - can a 'benign' nodule and enlarged thyroid happen with nomal bloods.
2 - can I have a thyroid desease with so called normal thyroid bloods.
3- if cancer, can it be in the gland itself and not in the nodule that was biopsed
4 - can all this happen with a benign condition (sorry, a little like q1)
any help would be appreciated
1 - can a 'benign' nodule and enlarged thyroid happen with nomal bloods.
2 - can I have a thyroid desease with so called normal thyroid bloods.
3- if cancer, can it be in the gland itself and not in the nodule that was biopsed
4 - can all this happen with a benign condition (sorry, a little like q1)
any help would be appreciated
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Oct 11, 2009 03:20PM
, Oct 11, 2009 03:20PM
This is likely a benign nodule - with something this size, if you decide not to have surgery, we often repeat the FNA to be certain. Usually lab work is normal and labs cannot differentiate cancer from benign. If you are having pressure symptoms, then have it removed. If the nodule turns out cancer, then the doctor will likely recommend to have the other half removed as well. A benign FNA carries a 90-98% accuracy, depending on who does it and who is reading it.
Remember about 6% of people have microcancers of the thyroid - so when we remove the thyroid, the larger nodules may be benign but there may be a microscopic cancer in the other part of the gland - often these do not require additional surgery or treatment.
Remember about 6% of people have microcancers of the thyroid - so when we remove the thyroid, the larger nodules may be benign but there may be a microscopic cancer in the other part of the gland - often these do not require additional surgery or treatment.
Post Comment
2. Yes, I had all normal blood levels, except for my TPOab, I had Hashimotos.
3. Yes, I had thyroid cancer in the actual thyroid tissue, not in the nodules
4. Yes, I had an FNA biopsy diagnosis of "benign follicular clusters", I still had cancer.
I am sure this is not the case for everyone, welcome to the Thyroid Circus! I had one side of my thyroid removed due to hoarseness and swallowing issues (had three nodules, biggest 2.1 cm) and they did find cancer in the thyroid tissue, small tumors less than 2 mm. But when they removed the other side, they found the big tumor in the last nodule, it was 1.5 cm. My sister had one nodule, they found cancer in her FNA biopsy. My nodules were solid and vascular, one was mixed. Good luck, I would suggest to take out the 1/2 with the nodule and do a thorough biopsy on it.
is it possible to have an enlarged thyroid, nodule and normal bloods and it NOT be cancer?