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Is it cancer?

I recently had an Mri that showed a cyst on my right thyroid lobe. The docters did thyroid function tests and they came back normal. I just got my ul;trasound report and  I am freaking out. It said that both lobes of the thyroid are mildly enlarged, at the middle pole of the right lobe a complex nodule measuring 8.3 x 6.9 x 4.4 mm is seen. There is another complex nodule measuring 8.3 x 4.4 at the junctionof the right lobe and isthumus. The left lobe shows homogeneoous echogenicity. I am freaking out and want to know what this means.. is it cancer. .. should they be treating it??
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920938 tn?1245730373
I am fowarding a post of a friend that I made here on the MedHelp she has been great support. What she had was mm too which was too small to biopsy. 3 weeks seems like forever when you feel the way you do.  Has the doctor thought about sending you to a surgeon? If you have any questions maybe you can ask her. I don't want to scare you but I think you need whatever advice anyone has to offer.
-Riritati



Call your doctor's on-call number and ask to speak with your doctor.  You need to speak in-person or at least over the phone with the doctor before the surgery.

1cm is the "text book" rule but our individual cases don't always follow the rules:

My papillary carcioma was 5mm.  Too small to biopsy yet I opted to just have the lobe removed based on the ultrasound readings (saw that it was a complex, rough, nodule).  Cancer was found post-surgery in pathology.  

Over the next 12 months, 3 of my 4 sisters were also diagnosed with papillary carcinoma (all of their nodules were also less than 1cm yet they all had multiple nodules).  One of those sisters had three areas of papillary carcinoma and two affected lymph nodes.  That sister also had three recurrences with distant metastases which were later treated - AND CURED - with RAI.

During that 12 months I also had my other sister (and my then-16 year old daughter) diagnosed with multiple atypical (precancerous) thyroid nodules.

After all of their surgeries I opted to have the other lobe removed (benign) which I was grateful for because 2 years later I had a recurrence and needed RAI treatment.

Don't rule out anything or cancel anything until you TALK TO THE DOCTOR and find out exactly what he/she is looking at and why he/she that nodule needs to come out so soon.  

The surgery can be postponed but YOU need to go into whatever YOU decide fully informed and comfortable with the decision YOU make.  It's not up to your doctor, or us, it's up to YOU - we're all just here to help you.

My best to you

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04, recurrence and RAI '06
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrences/RAI including metastases to breast and liver)
another sister and daughter with precancerous thyroid nodules
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yes they are all mm but I am totally freaking out!!  I don't want to wait to see that it is.. I realize that they are small... but being complex certainly is not good.. and in my understanding more likely to be cancer. The last couple times I had regular blood work done my white cell count was a little low.. not something that they were concerned about but a few points below the the low norm. I  have some symptoms of hyperthyroidism but the thyroid panel came back normal.  I am not sure what to think or want. My aunt died of some kind of lymphoma. So my way of reasoning says.. if there is a chance take it out!!  If it is cancer.. the earlier they get it the better right?? I don't see and endocrinologist for 3 more weeks. I don't know if because they are small they will even do a biopsy or if they can get enough cells to get a reading.I have pain in my neck... but I have had 2 fusions in my neck with plates and screws .. so I really can't  judge that. Has any one had  or know of anyone who has had a thyroidectomy or partial
thyroidectomy for nodules that are less than a cm due to factors such as a family history and low white cell count?? Any advice is much appreciated!!!
Helpful - 0
393685 tn?1425812522
a sucker avitar 898

what happened to the artist shot?  LOL

I wish I knew more about this type of stuff. Maybe someday.

Good Luck - you should find some great thoughts here.

Helpful - 0
920938 tn?1245730373
I know how you feel, I was feeling pain on the front of my neck for two weeks and finally figured out it could be my  thyroid. I saw my family doctor and he ordered blood work and an ultrasound.  Blood work came out a little abnormal and I had my ultrasound done on May 5 and it showed a nodule of 1.8 cm on my right lobe and my right lobe was also enlarged.  My doctor sent me to a surgeon and the surgeon ordered a radioactive iodine uptake.  The results were showing that there was something wrong.  The surgeon immediately talked to me about having it removed because of the size.  I told him fine and not even a month after my ultrasound I have had my right lobe removed and sent for testing.  Everything went by so fast I felt so confused but I think I did the right thing. I went to see the surgeon today and good news, no cancer.  I'm not too good with all the dimensions of sizes but just be persistant with your doctors to answer all your questions. I feel I did the right thing and so far I'm healing fine going back to work on monday.
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Avatar universal
898
A little correction to above poster: Hashi causes INhomogenous echogenicity;  homogenous echogenicity indicates normal structure; so left lobe is normal.
Complex nodule means it contains fluid [blood or colloid] and solid elements. Most doctors will watch the nodule for growth until it exceeds the 1 cm [10 mm size] then do biopsy.
Helpful - 0
499534 tn?1328704178
Are the nodule sizes all in mm? Try to calm down and not get yourself stressed.....I had a couple of complex nodules that were biopsied and benign and they were quite large. We tried the supression with meds and both of mine dissolved eventually. It also sounds like you need to be tested for Hashimoto Autoimmune thyroid disease. Hashi's will cause enlarged thyroid and homogenous echogenicity.
What is the next step your dr has suggested?
Helpful - 0
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