Thyroid Nodules/Cysts/Goiters/Tumors

[dollface311]

My 16-year-old daughter has several tumors/nodules/goiters/cysts on her thyroid which were discovered last month.  She had a biopsy last Thursday and we're just waiting on the pathology report to determine if they are cancerous. At this point her thyroid is functioning normally.  We do not have a family history of any thyroid issues on either my side or her dad's.  Is this a common issue that teenage girls can have?  

Her endocrinologist ordered a biopsy, but the radiologist tried talking us out of getting one saying "We see tons of teenage girls with these and it's never anything serious.  If it were my daughter, I would just keep a close eye on it."
  We still opted to get the biopsy, but I was appalled that he tried talking us out of getting one.  I worry for the other parents that actually listened to him because he is an "MD".  If a specialist orders a test, who is the radiologist to argue with that?   I have written a formal complaint and will be sending it to the head of Radiology at that hospital.  He also used the "f" word in front of my daughter while chewing out his staff for letting my daughter keep her shoes on.  He never made eye contact or even spoke with my daughter before the procedure.

[Jenn985]

I would not say that thyroid nodules/goiters, etc are "common" in teenage girls.  I would say that these issues are more common that realized, but still somewhat rare.  
I would definately get a more conclusive testing.  I do not feel that you are over-reacting.  Better to err on the side of caution.
Back to your daughter:  Depending on your family history, there could be a genetic influance pre-disposing your daughter to thyroid issues.  More often than not, nodules are benign.  I will say that a thyroid can be goitered and the labs can still show "normal" levels of thyroid hormone.  Monitor your daughter closely for hypothyroid symptoms and get more conclusive testing.  "It's probably nothing" is not good enough.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Most nodules/cysts in this setting are benign but some are cancer, and FNA biopsy is needed to sort this out.  Sometimes thyroid enlargement can be seen in puberty, then decreases in the woman's 20's.  Medications are seldom needed, especially if the thyroid levels are completely normal.  Nodules can be genetic, but may occur sporadically.  50% of the population in general has at least a small nodule or cyst.

[dollface311]

Thanks Jenn,

The Radiologist said he saw "Hundreds of teenage girls with lumps on their thyroids that never turn out to be anything."  I prefer to rely on my endocrinologist, but I just wondered how common this really was in teenage girls.  I've never known any woman (young or old) to have a lump that looks like an Adam's Apple on their thyroid in all my 39 years.