Thyroid removal because of follicular lesion

[Shelly40]

I have a small calcified follicular lesion (only found because of a CT scan from a car accident/neck problem).  A fine needle biopsy was done back in January.  The results were indeterminate with suspicious cells but it is deemed a follicular neoplasam.  The doctor states probably less than 20% chance it is actually cancerous.  Doctor advises to have removal of right lobe to be safe.  I have the surgery scheduled for May 14.  I am terrified of surgery.  I have never had surgery before, and am almost to the point of canceling it.  Is the removal necessary or should I just watch it over the next couple years?  Has anyone else had their thyroid removed - how did it go?  Thanks for easing my mind, if you can.

[utahmomma]

I've actually had lots of surgeries (8 now) and that includes two thyroid surgeries.  Of all the surgeries I've had, the thyroid ones were the easiest for me.  That being said, it's still surgery!

A few years ago there was some good advice on here . . . if you had a "suspicious" lump that size in your breast would you want to "wait and see" or would you be a bit more aggressive?   Your doctor actually has some good advice (at least I thought so), if there is a chance of it being cancer, it's better to get it out and treated while it's smaller and contained.

Just my $.02

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma

[RodeoQueen]

GO for it girl it is not that scary I mean the surgery... I have mot had my thyroid taken yet (MONDAY) But mine had Follicular and collide cells I decided NO LETS TAKE IT OUT I am scared but I gotta get it out!!! Partial lobectomy and the other nodule removed I have a feeling the whole thing will be comming out!!! Get int here so YOU KNOW and can deal with waht you need to it might be nothing!!! Well something but not to serious. I to have calsifiactions that is not a BAD prognosis per say but suspious!!! It also could mean it is old... My doc said any how but that was not good enough for me!!

Good luck!
Rodeo Queen

[dscoochie]

My biopsy said follicular cells too - but it ended up being papillary cancer - insane!!!

Thats certainly not to make you worry, just to let you know that I was told the chance that it would be follicular cancer was 20% too.  It ended up being papillary cancer - which is usually found by fna biopsy.  

Just remember that thyroid nodules are very common, but 95% are benign.  

I was terrified of surgery too (still am - have to have another now).  But I'd still say go for the surgery - it will give you peace of mind.  

Thnking of you.

[898]

You may ask for core biopsy for them to get the tissue speciment, not just few cells. The follicular adenomas are very difficult to differenciate from follicular cancer before the whole lesion is rmoved with affected lobe, but core biopsy may be more informative.

[pep88]

90% - 95% of stuff found on CT scans are benign.  That being said, I had two nodules found on a unrelated CT scan that the FNA came back suspicious.  Two seperate doctors recommended it come out.  They wanted to take half, do the pathology while I was out and then determine if the whole thing needed to come out.  Needless to say, I am one of the "chosen few" who are part of that 5% - 10% whose nodule was cancerous.  Aren't I lucky?

The calcification makes it suspicious in my mind.  Mine showed calcification and is something that raises the suspicious of cancer .  That is NOT to say that your lesion is cancerous (there is no way for me to know that & I am not a doc, just a cancer survivor).  But, insead of cancelling the surgery, I would incourage you to go forward with it.  Especially if the doc (or better yet, more than one doc...) recommends it.  

The surgery itself is not that bad, nor is the RAI that follows (if it is cancer).  It's a Highly treatable cancer, just need to catch it early.  But keep us informed.  We're here and can help you with questions, fears, what to expect, etc...

Good luck with your journey.  I will be thinking of you.