Thyroid Help . Anyone experience what I am?

[Redsunset13601]

Hello,

I was just wondering if anyone has or have experienced what I have. I have had thyroid problems seems like forever. A few years back my levels were up and down so I was never put on anything. My symptoms appear to be of Hypothyroidism.

I recently have had the Ultra sound done and a MRI done, and Just saw a specialist a month ago. He has a ultra sound machine right in his office and the very large Nodule that was reported on my prior testing is not a Nodule it is a Vascular Tumor with a lot of activity around it ,what ever that means. Doctor said he couldn't biopsy it because all he would get is blood. Also said 20% of these are Cancer. I'm scared to death. He took a wait and see approach. I go back in September to see if there is any further activity. This thing has gotten bigger since 2012. Plus I have two tiny cysts. I was Dx: in the end with a Multi non-toxic goiter so far. I had another recent scare as well in April, it was thought I had bone cancer in my back because yet again a lesion was found on my spine and that turned out to be just a non cancerous vascular tumor. Has anyone been DX: as having a Vascular Tumor in there Thyroid? If so what was done about it?  The doctor said when I go back in September he may wait another 6 months before considering removing my Thyroid. My point is: A Doctor can't tell if it is Cancer if he can't biopsy it. I don't want to wait another 6 months if there is no further changes in it when I go back in September. It's obvious it is growing. in 2012 it was only 1mm now it is clear up to 8mm.  I don't agree with this wait and see attitude. What if it is Cancer? Every second of my life counts. I just want the darn Thyroid taken out and be done with it. All my blood tests are normal. Just a nervous wreck over all of this.  

[Redsunset13601]

Thank you for your reply.

Gosh, are you ok? Did you have the surgery? I certainly hope all is well for you.

I don't no what to think really. I read there are different types of Thyroid Cancer. Most common is the one that grows very slowly but then there are some that are aggressive.

I started out a couple years ago with just a small Nodule, within two years time I have a Multi-Non Toxic Goiter along with this Vascular Tumor. My mom who is 93 has always had a messed up Thyroid. Never had no biopsies though.

I'm only 54 and over the last couple of months, I have had a couple Cancer scares. Most recent was the Hemangioma  that was found by accident when I was having a MRI of lower Lumbar. I have a small one at L1 but there was a odd larger one at L3. My PM Doctor was a little concerned because I have all these things on my Thyroid and I had yet to be to a Specialist for it when these Hemangioma's in my back were discovered. I guess the Thyroid is one of the Organs that is known if Cancerous to break off in little pieces traveling and lodging in the Spine. So at the time my Doctor was ruling out that I had Bone Marrow cancer in my Spine. I didn't thank god. Just another Vascular type tumor I guess.

I don't understand where all these Vascular Tumors are suddenly coming from? Like I said though by the Grace of God they have not been Cancerous to this point.

Although all my blood work and even the extensive Thyroid tests all come back normal. Years ago I did have Hashimotos (don't think I spelled that right) but it seemed to correct itself. I have normal levels.  I just think when I go back in September if this Vascular Tumor has changed in the slightest I am going to ask just to take it out. I mean he can't Biopsy it to much blood in it so it is a 50/50 change it is Cancerous. I really don't want to do the wait and see approach because it could mean a matter of life and death if it is unknown and can't be known what is growing around or inside of the Tumor because Biopsy in not a option.

I hope as I said all is well with u. That is some scary stuff u have/had going on as well.  

[Redsunset13601]

Thank you for your comment.  When I saw the Thyroid specialist I came in there with a couple Ultra Sound reports and the MRI report. He glanced them over and like I said he did a Ultra Sound on me while I was setting in this special chair. He informed me that is was not a Nodule at all as the reports stated. That it was a Vascular Tumor. (sorry for repeating myself) .

Anyway he was showing me on the screen and pointed to all these blue spots that were flashing around this Tumor. He stated that there is a lot of activity around this Tumor (what ever that means) I saw very little red streaks I guess you would call it surrounding this Tumor. I do know that the "red " means blood flow and the "blue " means no blood flow if I am correct in saying.

On my L1 I have a small Hemangioma but the one that was really concerning a few  months back was the one at L3. Diameter was 14mm and I don't no if that is large or not. Thankfully when I went for the CT and they focused on that particular one it ended up just being a Hemangioma. Where do these things come from? Just suddenly appear in my Spine like that. Yes I do have Spinal problems, my lower back and my neck is totally messed up which I need surgery for but that is risky surgery to repair pinched nerves and rebuild C5, C6, and C7. using bones from my hip. I'm 54 years old and I am not spring chicken. lol. Other than all these tumor things and Spinal issues I am a pretty healthy person.

That is how I ended up seeing the Thyroid Specialist finally. A Doctor I once worked for recommended me to the best of the best Thyroid doc's who is also an ENT.

Just scared, specially when the Doc said he can't biopsy this Tumor because it is full of blood. I mean can it burst? If so will I choke to death on blood or bleed to death? I have no physical appearance of this Tumor showing on the outside of my Thyroid area. I have researched to understand just what this is but I haven't had the questions in my mind answered. I guess I will have to wait till September to see if it has gotten bigger and decide what to do at that point . For now I guess I should try not to worry to much I suppose and take a "It is what it is" attitude.

Again Thank you for your reply

[Red_Star]

"The terms "mass" and "nodule" are often used synonymously with "tumor". Generally speaking, however, the term "tumor" is used generically, without reference to the physical size of the lesion. More specifically, the term "mass" is often used when the lesion has a maximal diameter of at least 20 millimeters (mm) in greatest direction, while the term "nodule" is usually used when the size of the lesion is less than 20 mm in its greatest dimension (25.4 mm = 1 inch)." - Wikipedia - Neoplasm

Around 5% of thyroid nodules are cancerous. Red flag signs of thyroid cancer: male gender, younger than 20 years and older than 65 years, rapid growth of nodule, symptoms of local invasion (dysphagia, neck pain, hoarseness), history of radiation to the head or neck, family history of thyroid cancer or polyposis (Gardner's syndrome).

1mm to 8mm in around 2 years isn't what I would consider rapid growth however.

[Totie]

I had something similar to you, but my tumor was underneath the L5-S1. It was however, about 3cm, when it was found by accident. (Had a CT Scan done on my ovaries) The doctor sent me to a vascular surgeon who told me he could not biopsy the tumor due to its location. He did say we could wait a year and see if it grows any bigger, but he could NOT tell me if it was cancerous or not.

I was not going to have it removed at first because it involved a laparotomy and that takes a while to heal, he stated he would literally have to move all my organs  to get to it. But when he looked at the CT Scan results he noticed a 4cm complex cyst on one of my ovaries and between him and the gyno they advised me to get the surgery done. (I was losing a lot of weight at the time) and no not trying.

I know he said if it would have been less than a CM he would have recommend I do another CT Scan in 6 months, and I would have waited.

Honestly I would NOT be in a rush to have my thyroid removed, I know they say if it is thyroid caner it is extremely slow (at least that is what I hear).

But every one is different in how they handle things. I would tell the doctor that you need piece of mind on it NOT being cancer and if that requires removal, then I would get it removed, if not you will be stressing every day.