Thyroid; Complex Cyst diagnosis

[MommaSpice]

Upon having a routine, yearly physical, my doctor noticed something with a lymph node in my right thyroid area. (I did have sinus issues and wasn't surprised about having a lymph node being enlarged.)  



She ordered an ultrasound of my thyroid and I received the results yesterday.  Apparently I have a complex cyst on or near my right thyroid; they believe it to be benign.  My blood work came back fine and they are just suggesting I come back in three months for a follow-up ultrasound.



I have read some of the threads here, which have been of some comfort, but I'm still curious if this is something I should be really concerned about or not (my husband is a living with cancer, so my sensitivity to this is heighten).



I have no idea what may have caused this and if there is a homeopathic solution, I'm all ears.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

In most cases, we biopsy these. The blood work only tells if the thyroid is working properly, does not reflect the nature of the lump.  No homeopathic solution known to be consistently helpful.

[maxsmom2]

I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending what you should do, other than follow the medical advice given you.  



However, I do want you to know that most thyroid nodules are benign.  Even if your nodule turns out to be malignant, most thyroid cancers are caught early and treated more easily than other cancers, especially the most common types (papillary and follicular), which are slow growing.



You can get lots of information on sites like www.thyca.org, which will explain options and procedures and refer you to other clinical sites.



I really would not recommend looking for homeopathic solutions until there is absolutely no doubt that your nodule is benign.  

Quite frankly, I think that the only absolute diagnosis would come from surgical removal of the nodule. After all, if there is a chance that you have a malignancy, you would want to address it asap.



With good wishes, from a thyroid cancer survivor (surgery 2005) who plans to be around for a really long time!

[MommaSpice]

Thank you, both, for your responses.



I think I will contact my doctor's office this week and ask why they wouldn't want to do a biopsy now instead of waiting and seeing for 3 months for potential growth.  If it was just a cyst, I probably wouldn't be as concerned, but since it seems to have some possible mass, I'd rather find out now if it should be removed or not.



A friend of mine's husband just finished up with radiation for cancer in his throat area, so that's in the back of my mine as well.



Thanks again.

[MommaSpice]

Thank you, both, for your responses.



I think I will contact my doctor's office this week and ask why they wouldn't want to do a biopsy now instead of waiting and seeing for 3 months for potential growth.  If it was just a cyst, I probably wouldn't be as concerned, but since it seems to have some possible mass, I'd rather find out now if it should be removed or not.



A friend of mine's husband just finished up with radiation for cancer in his throat area, so that's in the back of my mine as well.



Thanks again.