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[catcon49]

recent cat scan says 1x.05 cm hypodense nodule in posterior aspect of left lob of thyroid gland.  The soft tissue structures at the base of neck are otherwise normal . There is no mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. no axillary lymphadenopathy. the thoracic aorta is normal in course and caliber hear is normal in size no pericardial effusion. I was sent for a PET scan dr. scared me he said it rated 4.3. suggested ultra sound. what is this?  Cancer?

[catcon49]

The PET was schedule because of a small soft tissue nodule in lower right lung.  It seems as though this could be cancerous. Is there any correlation between lung cancer and thyroid cancers?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

PET would usually not have been the next step, but now that you have that info and assuming the SUV is 4.3 in the 1cm left thyroid nodule , then the next step is ultrasound and ultrasound guided FNA biopsy.  PET positive nodules are more suspicious but at least half of these are benign and 4.3 is not a dramatic increase in PET uptake but definitely needs FNA biopsy to be certain.  Would find a thyroid expert in your area to do ultrasound and FNA.