thyroid mass

[littlered30]

My ob found a thyroid mass during my physical. the ultrasound showd a large solid mass. My family physician said it is very common but was  a little concerned about mine. She sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon doesnt think it's cancer but ordered a biopsy as a precaution. He seems to think it is just a goiter. I am 31 yrs old . It doesnt seem to bother me. It is a little uncomfortable once in awhile. Is anyone out there going through similiar circumstances. This has me really worried.  He says if it cancer it is very highly treatable.

[AngieEMT]

I have had a goiter since I was 15. (29 now) I think it is fairly common. However, every once in awhile it gets a little inflamed. (especially when the docs are poking at it) Once they rule out cancer, it is not a big deal. They monitor mine at my regular dr visits. I have a thyroid ultrasound every now and again to check on it. However, I wonder if they have done any labs? Often when you have a goiter it affects your thyroid hormones which can wreak havoc. However, this can be easily remedied with a daily pill. (ie. Synthroid)

Best of luck!!

[utahmomma]

Welcome.  A biopsy is a great idea.  You seem concerned about cancer.  Please rest assured, your surgeon is right, thyroid cancer (*IF* that is what it is) is usually very, very treatable.  The most common type (papillary carcinoma) grows slowly and between surgery and radio-iodine treatment (RAI) is quite easily curable.

My family has become very familiar with this since in the past three years 6 of us have had our thyroids out, 4 were cancerous and 2 precancerous.  Oldest was 36 and youngest 16 for the surgeries.  All but one had normal labs - the other one had slight Hashimoto's.

Chances are all you have is a goiter with simple nodules.  Have the biopsy run then go from there.  If it's just a goiter, great - if it's more, you have lots of us here to ask questions from and to lean on.  Either way you'll get through this just fine!

Here are some resources:  http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/
http://www.thyca.org/
http://www.endocrineweb.com/

Schedule the biopsy and let us know!

[utahmomma]

A few people have asked me why I encouraged you to get a biopsy when I've posted to others that I am *NOT* a fan of them.  Let me expand a bit - a biopsy means that you are concerned about your thyroid and looking for more information about your thyroid problems.  ANYTHING that keeps someone proactive about their health - especially their potential thyroid problems - I'm all for.

As you probably have read, 3/4 of my sisters and I all had papillary carcinoma.  The other sister and my daughter were precancerous.  NONE of us would have found our cancer if we had listened to the "wait and see" doctors and friends.  We were all proactive.  Two of my sisters did have biopsies that were negative - yet they had thyroid cancer.  At least they were concerned enough to get the biopsies then use the results as one more bit of data to make a big decision.

My mother, on the other hand, has a HUGE goiter with multiple nodules.  She refuses to have an ultrasound, biopsy, or - especially - surgery.  She doesn't want to know.  She is "treating" her goiter with herbs and "sea silver".  (Hey, she's 65 and won't get a mammogram even though her sister just had a double, radical mastectomy.)

So . . . if someone wants to get a biopsy - wonderful!  Take charge of your health.  Just remember that biopsy results - just like labs - aren't fool-proof.  They have to be taken in perspective.  I would *HATE* for someone to get a false negative on a biopsy then never worry about their thyroid again.  

Hope this makes sense.

[littlered30]

Thanks Utahmomma for the info. I had my biopsy today and I have to wait for the results. ugh. I just cant wait to get this done and over with. Was your recovery very good after surgery. I'm glad your sister made the extra effort to hers checked out.

[utahmomma]

My recovery (both times) was actually very smooth.  I was back to work within a few days.  There are six in my family who have been through it and we all agree, it was the easiest surgery any of us have had.

Others have posted their surgeries weren't quite as smooth.  Maybe it helped that we had normal labs before surgery then were put right on Synthroid following surgery.  We really didn't experience the huge hypo/hyper swings.  Sure, there was a bit of the hot flashes and things like that but because we all had cancer or were at least "precancerous" our endocrinologists all wanted to keep our TSH levels as low as possible so we all became artificially hyper soon after surgery.

Any idea on when you should hear back on the biopsy?

[littlered30]

Just an update. I have my biopsy and it turned out benign.The mass is getting larger so I have surgery scheduled 121406 to have half of my thyroid removed.
Can anyone tell me if they had much problems w/ their voice afterwards and how much pain were you in?

[utahmomma]

I have 6 people in my family who have had thyroid surgery (and I had it twice).  Only one had voice problems after (for about 6-8 months) and she found that Chloroseptic (sp?) spray really helped.  The rest were fine.  

None of us had any significant pain in fact none of us finished the pain meds that were sent home with us after surgery.  You will be sore - especially moving your head.  Remember to *not* try to lift your head off the pillow but to roll over on your stomach and push yourself up.  The muscles in the front of your neck will be weak from the incision.  Ice packs helped too.  It may be uncomfortable swallowing with your head turned but you'll quickly learn NOT to do that.  :-)  Oh, and sneezing is no picnic - try some zinc or Airbourne to try to prevent catching a cold or the flu for the first month or so.

Wow - another forum member getting thyroid surgery in December.  You should start a club!  Both of my surgeries were in the winter (Nov and Dec) - great time of year to bundle up in turtle necks and scarfs.

You'll do great!  Please let us know how things go.