FNA or partial thyroidectomy

[hktphoel]

I have recently found out via US that I have 3 nodules <1cm on the L side of my thyroid, 2 of them are classified as complex.  As well as these nodules I have a 2cm enlarged lymph node on the L as well.  My current surgeon has said that his recommendation would be surgery instead of FNA due to the 2 complex nodes AND the enlarged lymph node. I have an appt for a second opinion, but wanted still another take on the situation.  My blood work is all normal, I do have some difficulty swallowing pills and I always feel like I have something stuck in my throat, both of which are new since Dec.

[ChitChatNine]

I would only do the FNA if you need it to prepare emotionally or if they feel they need info from it to have any further tests done before the surgery such as a CT Scan if they feel something has spread into the lymph gland .. that is  ? I would ask maybe ... ?

C~

[MJ62]

If you have the FNA they will probably end up having you go through the surgery anyway to get a better biopsy result.   When I found out that I had this nodule I really didn't care to have any tests I just wanted the thing out.  It wasn't supposed to be there.  

You need to pursue the path that feels right to you.  Maybe you should talk with the Dr. again and ask him/her the reasoning for the surgery 1st.  You may be better prepared to discuss if you have had time to digest the first conversation and have more questions to pose.

Good luck to you!

PS - I am one week out from having my left lobe removed.

[redheadaussie]

Sounds like he is very concerned with the lymph node which is enlarge as being something not so great. He probably already has a feeling of what it could be and wants you to have surgery rather than waste time with the FNA, which aren't 100% accurate anyway. Sounds like it is growing fairly fast (like mine did) and needs to come out anyway.
  Hope it goes well for you.