Not sure what's going on...

[Jenny001]

I'm new, but I'm really confused about what's going on.  About two years ago, I noticed a knot on the front of my neck.  I asked one endocronologist about it (I was having, and continue to still have, strange and undiagnosed thyroid problems) but he basically said it was nothing.  About a month ago, I saw a clinic doctor about a recurring sinus infection, sore throat, and cough I've been having, and he noticed the knot, said it was a "nodule," and scheduled an ultrasound, but said there was no rush on it.   So three weeks later, I have the ultrasound and see the doctor again.  He tells me that the results of the ultrasound were that it is complex and multinodular and about 8 cm in size.  Now, I'm confused because from what I've read since, 8 cm is very large, and secondly he immediately made me an appointment with a surgical oncologist, even though I haven't had a biopsy yet, and he said that the surgeon is probably going to want to remove it.  I just don't understand why I haven't had a biopsy and he talking about removing it already and sending me to a surgical oncologist.  He wouldn't really tell me anything else about it, so I feel like he's not telling me everything.  I wsa wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences and would really appreciate any help or information about this.  Thanks.  

[imedicmommy]

I also had a nodule about that size on the right side. 8 cm is quite large They did opt to biopsy it first but it came back benign and when it was removed it came back cancerous. FNA's only really work if they get the needle in exactly the right spot and they can't really tell where that is. That being said having a total thyroidectomy or a lobectomy is not so bad. Usually one night in the hospital with a bad sore throat for a couple of days. I had mine on a thursday and was back to work by the next tuesday. There is a good website www.endocrineweb.com that describes the surgery and risks and benefits. Good Luck to you and keep us posted.

[Jenny001]

Thanks for the responses.  I guess I just wish I had a better doctor who actually explained things so I wouldn't have to wonder.  So should I resign myself to having surgery? (I've never had any major medical issues or surgery of any kind, so that thought alone freaks me out).  If so, what's the surgery like?  

[teppy]

I had two walnut sized nodules, one on each lobe of my thyroid  (4cm each). they didn't bother to do a biopsy on mine either just because of the size of them it made them suspicious and they had to come out either way. so they took my entire thyroid out and tested the nodules then. they weren't cancerous , most people's aren't. I was told that a needle biopsy can be inaccurate because they have to make sure they get it in exactly the right spot. I was also told that if they did the needle aspiration and the results came back fine, they would have to do an ultrasound and biopsy every 6 months to a year to make sure it didn't become cancerous later on. So it's probably due to size alone that they want to take it out. If it has to come out either way, they might as well test it once it's out      
GL

[Jessi63]

Just wanted to let you know I read your post.  I am not really educated enough on all this thyroid stuff to help but there are many people on here who are.  Just keep checking back.