Calcification of the Right Lobe

[myownwaytorock]

I recently had a CT Scan of my neck The results show a mass in the soft tissue, multiple enlarged lymph nodes and calcification of the right lobe of the thyroid. I had my throat visually scoped by an ENT and her also palpated the calcification. He sent me for a thyroid study and I am scheduled for a test in two weeks after the iodine has been flushed from my system. I do have chronic tonsillitis. Any advice?

[myownwaytorock]

I have a nagging (not so much sore as irritated) throat. It feels like it's closing off sometimes or like things get stuck even when they aren't. Swollen glands. It hurt to move my neck sometimes and it felt a little sore to the touch. I'm very fatigued but I attributed that to a full time job with a congressman, being a single mom to 3 active teens (one playing national club volleyball) and going to school part time.
Here's what is so weird. When this all stared, my doctor was concerned with the swollen glands on the left side and the pain that seemed centralized there. I had the joy of having all this accompanied by a vicious sinus infection. That brought headaches.

[mommy2two2008]

I am so very pleased for you to have gotten such a head start that I am a little envious to be honest!  I hope all goes well for you.  Question, did you have any symptoms?  If so, what were they?

[myownwaytorock]

I did have a contrast with the CT scan last Friday. That's why I have to wait until May 20 for the radio scan. I appreciate all the great info and the straight talk. It means a lot to me. I will keep you posted. I hope you'll share your experiences with me.

[utahmomma]

Did you have contrast medium with your CT scan?  If so, tell the nuclear medicine department before your radio scan because the radiation from the CT contrast will inhibit the uptake of the radioactive iodine and give you false readings.

It does sound like you are getting some good quality care and much quicker than most do.  Let your doctors know of your family history of cancer - especially the breast cancer.  Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer are all "hormone fed" cancers.

The ultrasound would be a logical next step too and/or the ultrasound guided FNA (biopsy).  A solitary, calcified nodules is a bit worrisome.

Please hang in there and keep us posted!

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08

[myownwaytorock]

I have a radio scan scheduled for May 20.

[myownwaytorock]

Thank you for being so kind and supportive. I think the doctor drew for a TSH. That was on Wednesday, no results yet. I am so grateful because after reading some of the posts here, I see that my doctor is moving things along very quickly. All this started a week ago today. I saw my personal physician on Friday morning, he sent me for a CT scan on Friday afternoon and when those results came back on Monday afternoon, I saw the ENT  he sent me to on Tuesday. I feel very blessed in a lot of ways.

[898]

You may need to have an ultrasound to see if this is a calcification or a nodule (or a calcified nodule).  Then check a TSH.  If the TSH is normal, and ultrasound shows a nodule  next step is FNA biopsy.

[myownwaytorock]

The mass seems to be closer to the right tonsil. The calcification wasn't described to me other than it was a palpable and visible (on the CT) calcification of the right lobe of the thyroid. I had the blood draw for the thyroid study but feel like I want to press for a fine needle aspiration to see what is going on. I'm holding this back from my family so I'm a little anxious. Single mom of 3 teens and sister  #1 going through chemo for breast cancer. Sister # 2 who is a 11 year survivor is caring for her as sister #1 is a widow. I am trying not to be too freaked.

[898]

Is there any chance you were given the description of calcification( focal, scattered etc),
Was the mass associated with thyroid?