Aa
Thyroidectomy
Hi,
I am scheduled for a partial thyroidectomy on the 19th for a suspicious finding from a FNAB.
Ultrasound results of 07/06: There is a 3.7 cm nodule in the right lobe and a 2.1 cm nodule on the isthmus. These were not present on an ultrasound done 02/05.
FNA results: Follicular lesion The specimens conatain microfollicles and scant colloid. A follicular neoplasm could not be ruled out. Clinical correlation is advised.
Therefore the frozen section surgery. I understand all this, but in reading the ultra sound reports I found that my left lobe has increased in length from 4.8 cm in length and 2 cm in AP thickness in 2/05 to 12.7 cm in length and 2 cm in AP thickness. That is almost 8 cm or three inches!
I go back for a pre-op appt on Wed the 13th. Should I ask about this? Especially since I have been on synthroid since 03/05 shouldn't my thyroid be shrinking instead of enlarging? And finally since my left lobe seems to be growing, should I just ask for a total thyroidectomy even if the results are benign?
Thanks for your help and answers.
I am scheduled for a partial thyroidectomy on the 19th for a suspicious finding from a FNAB.
Ultrasound results of 07/06: There is a 3.7 cm nodule in the right lobe and a 2.1 cm nodule on the isthmus. These were not present on an ultrasound done 02/05.
FNA results: Follicular lesion The specimens conatain microfollicles and scant colloid. A follicular neoplasm could not be ruled out. Clinical correlation is advised.
Therefore the frozen section surgery. I understand all this, but in reading the ultra sound reports I found that my left lobe has increased in length from 4.8 cm in length and 2 cm in AP thickness in 2/05 to 12.7 cm in length and 2 cm in AP thickness. That is almost 8 cm or three inches!
I go back for a pre-op appt on Wed the 13th. Should I ask about this? Especially since I have been on synthroid since 03/05 shouldn't my thyroid be shrinking instead of enlarging? And finally since my left lobe seems to be growing, should I just ask for a total thyroidectomy even if the results are benign?
Thanks for your help and answers.
Calo, if your nodules are small and not affecting your TSH, T3, T4, etc. and they are benign and you have no symptoms, then maybe you should take the watch and wait approach for 12 months like I did?
Calo, we took a watch and wait approach for 12 months to see if my 2 nodules on the left side would change in size while monitoring TSH, T4, T3, as well as repeat ultrasounds. I was within the normal limits for all blood tests throughout and size didnt change much. I made my decision based on throat discomfort and family thyroid cancer history (even though biospy was benign). I saw it more of a now or later type decision, and sooner was probably better for me. It was a tough decision.
I had the surgery 7 days ago and I am ready to go back to work now. My neck was very stiff for the first few days but it slowly got better each day. I was kept in the hospital 1 night and they let me go home the next morning. My lump in throat feeling and sore neck were gone almost immediately so I am happy to have done. Plus I dont have to worry about the nodule become malignant or growing. I do have to watch out for hypo-thyroid symptoms however and will have a blood test next month and for several months thereafter to check TSH, T4, T3. With partial thyroidectomy some folks become hypo and need synthroid for the rest of their lives and some dont. I hope I am part of the group that doesnt as the remaining thyroid may be enough to supplement the function. If I need small dosage of synthroid, then no big deal either. I know many many people who take 1 a day.
Feel free to ask anymore questions. So many people have helped me prior to my surgery and answering my pre-surgery decision questions. I wish you the best.
I had the surgery 7 days ago and I am ready to go back to work now. My neck was very stiff for the first few days but it slowly got better each day. I was kept in the hospital 1 night and they let me go home the next morning. My lump in throat feeling and sore neck were gone almost immediately so I am happy to have done. Plus I dont have to worry about the nodule become malignant or growing. I do have to watch out for hypo-thyroid symptoms however and will have a blood test next month and for several months thereafter to check TSH, T4, T3. With partial thyroidectomy some folks become hypo and need synthroid for the rest of their lives and some dont. I hope I am part of the group that doesnt as the remaining thyroid may be enough to supplement the function. If I need small dosage of synthroid, then no big deal either. I know many many people who take 1 a day.
Feel free to ask anymore questions. So many people have helped me prior to my surgery and answering my pre-surgery decision questions. I wish you the best.
Just had partial thyroidectomy myself. Complex cyst on left lobe. Had burping and sore lump in throat feeling for months but the surgery has seemed to fix this right away. I think you made the right decision since you had goiter on both sides. Glad your surgery went well. I am happy to have my surgery done.
Had the TT on Tuesday. Everything went well, the surgeon said it was a big big mess so he just took it all out. Since he did take it all out he didn't do a frozen section in surgery he just sent it all to pathology. He said he didn't think it was cancerous, but will get the results back tomorrow, Friday.
I feel pretty good, I don't have much of a voice and I have a dull headache, maybe from the anesthesia, but other than that I feel better than I thought I would.
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.
I feel pretty good, I don't have much of a voice and I have a dull headache, maybe from the anesthesia, but other than that I feel better than I thought I would.
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.
Ok, I have been reading on your comments about thyroid surgery. I just had a biopsy done, it was painful but no cancer. I am very concerned that these nodules will develope into something some day down the road. That is why I think the complete removal is a wise option. The Dr. said either surgery or radioiodine is my two options.
I need informed help to make a choice. It has been 3yrs since I had my first does of radioiodine which he thought would do the trick then and didn't. Three years later, loads of med. changes and blood tests and I am still hyperthyroid. With the nodules showing up it just freaked me out, plus I have a lot of family history of cancer. I am worried that down the road I will have to repeat the biopsys, etc. I am leaning towards the removal just to be done with the guessing game. Any suggestions??
I need informed help to make a choice. It has been 3yrs since I had my first does of radioiodine which he thought would do the trick then and didn't. Three years later, loads of med. changes and blood tests and I am still hyperthyroid. With the nodules showing up it just freaked me out, plus I have a lot of family history of cancer. I am worried that down the road I will have to repeat the biopsys, etc. I am leaning towards the removal just to be done with the guessing game. Any suggestions??
calo, how many nodules, what size, and are they on one side or both? I had 2 large >1 inch benign nodules on same left side and had left side removed because I had a family history of thyroid cancer and didnt want them to develop down the road either. Tough gray-area decisions that the docs wont make for you.
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