Follicular lesions/ cancerous?

[kyliesmom]

I recently noticed a lump on the side of my neck, that had grown pretty significantly in the previous weeks and my doctor ordered an ultrasound which found a cyst (about 1cmx2cm) and a mass above that (4cmx6cm).  I had a biopsy on them and it showed follicular lesions with colloid present.  I am an RN and was able to view the results and have not met with an endocrinologist yet.  Does anyone know what these means, could they be malignant?  My thyroid levels were "normal" according to my doctor, I don't know the exact levels.  I am also 6 weeks postpartum and know there is postpartum thyroiditis, but don't have those symptoms and since my levels were normal, don't know if that is what it is....PLEASE HELP!

[ok2531]

actually I can't email you through here but you can email me on here.  Send it there & we can chit chat :)

[ok2531]

I'll send you an email on here & see if private email comes through.  

[kyliesmom]

Yuck....hope you don't need anymore procedures.  So when you turn 30 you fall apart, I thought it was 40 hehe.  I turn 30 next year.  Hope all goes okay with you.  How old are your boys?  I have 2 girls a 3 year old and an 8 week old.  It is scary going through this stuff with young ones.  Let me know how it goes.  God bless you, Kristi.  PS my email is ***@**** if you want to email me that way instead of the forum.  

[ok2531]

Awesome!!!  God is Good.  I truly believe giving it to him benefits us greatly.  I learned that with all of this mess.  I am now getting to follow up with a GI doc as before my surgery I developed some pain in the left abdomen that radiates to the back.  Thought it was a kidney stone but my amylase was elevated.  CT of abd/pelvis was all okay but I still have pain there.  They are thinking I could have a residual stone left from my gallbladder surgery in 05 that has lodged itself in a duct.  UGHHHH  I am wiped out with all this stuff.  I get to see the GI doc on Christmas eve...yipppeee.  Had to vent.  It stinks when you become the patient!!!

Let me know how all goes & God bless!
Margie

[kyliesmom]

PS, the mass was 2cm in diameter and the cyst was 1x2, the original numbers were the size of my total right lobe, I misunderstood the original report they gave me.

[kyliesmom]

I met with the surgeon this morning, Dr. Brian Boggs (he is great by the way).  Anyway, he said it was up to me, but he would not recommend surgery at this point.  He thinks it probably has to do with pregnancy and we will re-ultrasound in 3 months and see then.  No meds or anything.  There is still a slight chance of malignancy, but it is so treatable if it is, that the risk with surgery outway the benefits.  He gave me the option though and I am fine with waiting.  God has always taken care of me in the past and I have a real peace with this.  Thanks for all you insight.  Good luck with work, too bad you couldn't milk it out until after Christmas, hehe.  Buy for now, Kristi

[ok2531]

That is a funny coincidence!  My family doc says theres been a run on goiters here lately she said ever since I came in she has had 5 other patients since with new lumps & bumps.  Odd how things work.  Let me know how you do.  

On a lighter note...I CAN NOT believe there is only a week till Christmas!!!  I lost track of time being off work.  I am going back tomorrow!!! Yipeeeeee...I'm ready :o)

God bless~~
Margie

[Avee3]

I had a follicular mass removed on November 13th.  It was benign but, as others have mentioned here, the only way to know for sure is surgery.  Unfortunately, this is a limitation of the FNA test - it cannot distinguish between benign and malignant follicular cells.  The vast majority are benign but the percentage of malignancy is significant enough to warrant removal (between 5% - 15% depending on who you talk to).  Some people opt to watch and wait.  However, I'm told that follicular masses can grow very slow and can be invasive IF they are cancerous.  So, watching is not always conclusive or recommended.  For me, the surgery was easy and I recovered completely in just a few days.  My thyroid functino was normal before and after surgery.  The only thing left to remind me is the scar.

Putting you on thyroid medication would shrink and stabilize the thyroid if you're having a bout of thyroiditis but I don't see how that relates the follicular mass.....but I'm not a doctor.

Good luck with your decision.      

[kyliesmom]

Thanks for the replies.  I didn't mention, I am from Yukon as well!  How odd....anyway, go to see the surgeon on Tuesday, thanks for the prayers.  Will let you know.  Kristi

[ok2531]

My endo said either way could start with meds & wait & see get scanned again in 6months.  My surgeon said if I were his wife he'd removed it.  I could not do the wait & see.  There was a 50/50 chance & I'm not much of a gambler.  Plus, on here I have met many people who were told it was benign later to have the surgery & found out it indeed was malignant.  How's your WBC?  It would be elevated with thyroiditis.  Ask God for guidance.  It worked for me.  I'll keep you in my prayers.  Good luck~

God bless!
Margie

[alec1572]

i also had a follicular finding in my FNA and 5 out of 5 doctors said i have to have surgery.

hope all goes well with you and that you may be guided on the proper course of medication..

[kyliesmom]

Thanks for all the comments!  I meet with the surgeon next week on Tuesday.  I spoke with him on the phone, since I work with him often, being an ICU nurse.  He said probably low risk of malignancy, based on the U/S and FNA, but he wants to see me.  He said maybe just meds and watch it...I don't know how I feel about this.  Would almost rather get the thing out, just in case.  He also said being 6 weeks postpartum, it may be postpartum thyroiditis.  Mentioned putting me on synthroid, but my levels are "normal" supposedly.  I don't understand it all, hopefully will fill in all the gaps next week.  Did they ever mention not doing surgery on yours??  Thanks, Kristi

[ok2531]

Honestly, the surgery was a piece of cake!  And that is coming from a big baby!!!  The worst part about the whole thing was the worry.  I worried myself sick.  The first thing I spoke....literally...was "did they take all of it or was it benign".  It is a HUGE relief once it is all over with.  Try to take a deep breath & have faith in God.  Place it in His hands & know that you will be ok.  I psych'd myself up for the worst & truly laughed at myself afterwards as it was not that bad at all.  Actually, my gallbladder surgery hurt worse than this & it was laproscopic.  I am almost a week out & only taking two pain pills a day now & tomorrow I plan to take just one before bedtime.  I have been sleeping on the couch elevated with pillows as this seems more comfortable.  I tried the bed but couldn't stay as elevated plus I'm a stomach sleeper & was scared I would roll over in the bed.  Tonight is the big night though :)  I think I will migrate to the bed as all the swelling has gone down.  Just ask if you have any specific questions.  I hope this has helped.  I will pray for you both.  And I do truly understand what you are feeling & just rest assured that it is normal.  

God Bless~
Margie

[JPW0715]

I am in the same boat..  31 with two young girls.. I cant believe this is happening!!  My surgery is Thursday, and I am so so scared.  I would appreciate any info on if the surgery is painful also!!  I hope mine is benign!!  

[ok2531]

YES...I'm from Yukon Oklahoma!  Dr. Perry Santos did my surgery at Baptist.  That's where I work.  The odds are in your favor that it is benign.  Some of us are just lucky in developing these lil lumps & bumps.  I am lucky enough to have follicular cysts on my ovaries as well...yeehaw.  My surgery went awesome.  Spent one night...came home last Wednesday with a snyder drain..got it out Friday & now my incision is healing nicely & I get the sutures out Thursday YaY :)  Dr. Santos is awesome.  My voice is exactly the same.  The incision is small in the crease of my neck plus he was trained by a plastic surgeon on the incision & sutures so it should be barely noticeable once it heals.  I have had very minimal pain.  At most I may take 1 Lortab 5mg twice a day.  I keep it iced in the evening while resting on the couch.  I have to say it all happened in perfect timing as I'm off work & not having to battle this weather & driving back & forth to work.  It's so nice to meet you neighbor.  Let me know if I can help out with questions & stuff!

God Bless~
Margie

[kyliesmom]

Thanks...are you from Oklahoma as well, I am.  Dr. McCollom at Mercy did my FNA.  He said there is some vascularity in the mass itself, but he seemed to think, pretty low risk of malignancy, mine is on the right lobe too. But the lump I was feeling was below the mass and cystic.  I am 29 with 2 young girls.  I can't wait to find out more, hopefully this week.  Was the surgery pretty painful, who did yours?  Thanks for the information.  I really appreciate you sharing that with me.  
God Bless, Kristi

[ok2531]

I had a follicular nodule as well.  it was 3.6cmx2cm.  I just had it removed on the 12/4.  The problem with follicular masses is that FNA is not conclusive on telling if it's malignant or not....thus I opted to have mine removed.  They removed the right lobe (where the nodule was) frozen sectioned it & looked benign & thank God the final path came back as a benign follicular adenoma.  Like I said though FNA can not determine malignancy on follicular masses.  All my labs were normal as well.  I just happened to touch my neck one day & noticed a lump.  Did your US show vascularity? cysts have a lesser tendency for malignancy then solid masses.  Mine was cystic with just peripheral vascularity.  If the vascularity is centralized throughout the mass/nodule then the chance goes up.  I'm a RN as well & I think we are the worst patients.  We are used to seeing worst case scenario & scare ourselves to death.  I'm also 31 & a mother of two young boys.  I understand how scared you are.  Let me know if you have any questions.

God Bless~
Margie