hurthle cell question

anyone no anything about hurthle cells?Can they be in normal thyroid tissue ? Can they be in Pap. thyroid Cancers? Are they always bad news?

[GinnyS]

I'm also interested in this answer.  I've been through the whole workup...started out hypothyroid, spontaneously converted to hyperthyroid, found diffuse enlargement, ? of nodule on ultrasound.  Referred endocrinologist at that time.  Had a radioactive iodine uptake which came back abnormal.  Was diagnosed with grave's disease, had an FNA and a core biopsy.  FNA was inconclusive after going to 3 pathologists, one of them being Dr. Virginia LiVolsi in Pennsylvania who is supposed to be the authority on thyroid pathology in the US.  She recommended another biopsy, at which point my endocrinlologist recommended a core biospy.  The core biopsy was agreed upon by 2 pathologists as follicular neoplasm, and hurthle cells were noted.  My nodule is 4.5cm and is in the right lobe, but the thyroid enlargement is both lobes.  I'm scheduled for a total thyroidectomy on Oct. 30th.  My endocrinologist recommended a total thyroidectomy for 2 reasons.  First, because TT will cure my Grave's disease and I'll go back to being hypothyroid which is where I started with my thyroid journal.  Second, because I won't have to have a second surgery later if there are recurrent issues or if if the right lobe ends up being cancer.  I've read up some on hurthle cells and from what I've read it could go either way, as far as being malignant or benign.  My endo says it's a 20-25% chance of it being cancerous, the surgeon is saying about 5%.  If anybody can help with the answer to lorree's question, I'd appreciate it!

[GinnyS]

BUMP!

[nervousnancy2009]

I'm 33 currently 4 weeks post op from TT. I don't know if I can help you but I can give you my experience. My story begins by being diagnosed at 24 with hypo been on synthroid for 9 years. Just had a baby 5 months ago and discovered my thyroid was enlarged, which lead to ultrasound then FNA that discovered I had a hurthle cell neoplasm. Of course, the only way to be 100% certain it's not cancer they have to remove the lobe. Originally they were just going to take out left lobe but the pathologist was concerned of lymphoma cuz he has seen similiar cases with a thyroid that look like mine, I guess? So, they ended up taking the whole thyroid and final diagnosis hashimoto's thyroiditis. Not cancer, thank GOD. I keep telling my self it could be worse and my problem can be treated with meds. There are times I wish I had my other half of thyroid but what if the other side would grow out the same type of nodule and have to go thru surgery again. I love reading these forums cuz I really feel I'm not alone! It's great! I wish you the best