Found Calcification in 2 nodules 2 diffrent ultra sounds

[virleehol]

My Thyroid biopsy back as benign. I saw surprised by this. The first ultra sound they found one nodule with calcification. This one was the diameter of my thump. That one was in the middle of the thyroid. The second ultra sound found a second one with calcifacation. That day they took a biopsy of both. One they took 6 samples and one about 4. The doctor looked at me and said it looks like you will need surgery. So I was shocked when the test came back neg. The first time I saw him I thought he said that calcification USALLY means one thing, Cancer. I have to see the doctor Monday morning. And I need to ask alot of questions can you guys help me? Thank you Virlee

[imedicmommy]

Another option that I know some people have had is to see if the pathologist will look at the worrisome tissue in the OR and if it IS cancer they can take the rest out. FNA's can really be hit or miss. I don't trust them much at all.

[glocklt4]

I had an FNA with a large 2x3cm mass on my right side with calcification.  They biopsied it and it came back indeterminate.  Short story ... I had the TT last monday and they found 3 spots of microcarcinoma.  I would definitely have multiple FNA's done if you are going to trust it...

[Lady_Lark]

I had a thyroid byopsy years ago by a specialist that my internist refered me to. It was benign. I swear I have gained 10 lbs per year ever since and although I regularly work out 4 times a week for at least an hour, I continue to gain weight. I also take the thyroid meds now. I am a diabetic under very good control. I'm sorry I had this proceedure done. I feel it damaged my thyroid and my body hasn't been the same since. I feel like I have fat deposits that cause pain throughout my body. It's not fybromyalgia either. Your thyroid controls a lot inyour body metabolism.

[utahmomma]

I had no indication of cancer before I decided to have the right lobe of my thyroid removed.  They found the cancer after I was already in recovery.  A year later I had to have the other half out (which was cancer free).  Good thing I did because two years later I had a regrowth of the cancer and had to have RAI treatment - which I couldn't have done without having the complete TT.

Mucka - calcification is a very worrisome sign - I would follow your internist's advice.  

Fix641 - I saw the complex nodule on my ultrasound and decided to just have it out (I had a bad feeling about it).  What does your daughter's ultrasound show?  

[Mucka]

I too have a major nodule on my neck with three little nodules.  The bigger one last measuring 5.7x3x37 was noted to have calcification on ultrasound but the FNA came back benign with follicular cells in it.  I could literally see the calcification on the u/s.  My Internist sent me to an ENT specialist who did not want to do surgery and hence, I am awaiting a thyroid uptake next week (already had 2 u/s and a CT scan w/contrast).  My internist wants it out ASAP and is waiting for this upake scan and sending me to a different province (I live in Canada) for another opinion.  I too feel like I am being choked constantly and my salivary gland is also irritated but appeared normal on u/s.  I am also worried sick!!  Any suggestions on what to do, ask, say???

[fix641]

My daughter (44) just found out today that she has a spot on her thyroid and is scheduled already for the needle biopsy on Jan. 11th. She is an RN and has very bad feelings about this. How many out there would advise to have the thyroid completely removed as opposed to going through the torture of waiting to find out if it is terrible or not. Is that to drastic? As a mother I would rather they just take it out all together and then the worry would be gone, right? Worried in Alabam

[utahmomma]

You go girl!  Get some rest and good luck tomorrow.

[virleehol]

Thank you again for your prayers and support.
I will let you know what I find out. I should be getting my T counts Monday also. I will ask for a hard copy of them so I get them right and let you know. Virlee

[utahmomma]

Please tell him that thyroid cancer is the most treatable - and curable - cancer you could have.  Like many of us say, if you're going to get cancer, this is the one to get.  :-/

Please let him know you aren't going through this alone either.  There are LOTS of us on this forum who won't let you!

Hey, I've had a gallbladder, both ovaries, and my thyroid removed.  Like I keep telling my doctor, "I'm going to keep on fighting until you tell me my prostrate is bad!"  It took him a minute then he finally got it and started laughing.

Hang in there - you have lots of love, prayers, and support to keep you going.  You'll get through this fine then you'll look back and be glad you were so aggressive with your health!

[virleehol]

I just spoke with my Son. I explained to him that I understand why the doctor thought it was cancer with the Calcification and that I want to be sure it is not a false Neg. He is at college. He sounded so sad. I told him not to be because I will make sure I find out for sure. That I would rather opt for sugery rather then find out later it is cancer. I also told him about this site and you wonderful ladies. Wish me luck Virlee

[utahmomma]

I understand completely.  That's why I was aggressive with mine.  I'm a single mother also and, three years ago when I was going through it, my children were ages 12 and 16.  I decided there was just too much that I needed to stick around for and I did NOT want them getting caught up in some custody hearing against their dead-beat dad.

Taking a small pill every day and living with a little scar on my neck is no big deal (oh, and going through RAI this week) compared to the hell my kids would have gone through if I ignored the cancer too long.

You don't have a good feeling about the nodule - that says a lot!  The nice thing about being overly aggressive and just getting the thyroid out . . . guaranteed it won't get cancer in the future!  :-)

Hang in there.  My experience was it was one of the easiest surgeries I've been through (same from all my sisters and my daughter) and the peace of mind was well worth it.

[virleehol]

Thank you for your responce.I dont have a good feeling about this. I didnt want the byopsy but went  and did it anyway. I am single, divorced with 2 wonderful grown children 22 and 20. I dont have any grandchildren yet and want to be around a long time. I just dont want to have had a false Neg. and have to put my children through more of this later on. I see my doctor Monday I will let you know what he says. Thank you again Virlee

[utahmomma]

Um, calcification usually *does* mean one thing.  Okay for fear of upsetting people, THE FOLLOWING IS SIMPLY MY PERSONAL OPINION:  I'm not a huge fan of thyroid biopsies.  I opted not to have one because my nodule was so small and I just had a feeling it was cancer.  My sisters who did opt for biopsies had "negative" on the biopsies yet *DID* have cancer.   Biopsies really can be "needle in a haystack" tools.  That's just my personal opinion.

Talk to your doctor and work closely with him/her on your next steps.  If he/she feels that the risk of it being cancer (because of the calcification) is too high and wants to do surgery, talk it over in detail.

If it is cancer, the sooner you get it out, the better.  Less chance of it growing and the faster you can get on to any needed followup treatment (RAI, etc.).  While it may be slow growing, you don't want to long because thyroid cancer loves to metastized in some very strange places.

It is one of the easiest cancers to treat and to cure but you have to be proactive with it.

Here are some sites that may help:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/
http://www.thyca.org/
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/

Let us know!!