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Hurthle cells present - 5 wk surgery wait & no TT?
Hello everyone. I am a 34 year old female. No family history of thyroid issues. Gynecologist found right side nodule at annual exam. It is 1.8 x 1.4 x 1.2. Biopsy said "numerous Hurthle Cells present with scant colloid - cannot rule out a Hurtle Cell neoplasm".
Met with endocrinologist I love and she sent me to a surgery group (ENT) that she always uses and is happy with. We are about 3 weeks in from finding the nodule now. After consultation, surgeon's office scheduled me for surgery In FIVE weeks and he only intends to take the right side of my thyroid if no malignancy is found during frozen disection. If there is, he will remove the left side, and if final pathology comes back malignant, he will go back in & remove my left side. I am concerned about waiting that long for surgery with Hurthle Cells present since they metastasize so easily. Also, if no nodules are on my left side, should he do a TT with Hurthle Cells on the right side? Are they likely to be present in my left side too?
In addition, I am thinking of asking him to send everything to somewhere like Mayo or MD Andersen for final pathology. Is that a good/necessary idea? He is in Louisville. I am concerned that if someone without alot of HCC experience analyzes it, a malignancy could be missed. I would never be comfortable that a benign result was truly accurate.
I was really surprised that neither my endo nor surgeon had much of a sense of alarm/urgency that there were Hurthle Cells present. My endo said the us showed favorable signs for a benign tumor, and she fully expected it to be ok. Smooth edges, blood flow only on outer edge were 2 "favorable" that I remember. Thank you for any help!
Met with endocrinologist I love and she sent me to a surgery group (ENT) that she always uses and is happy with. We are about 3 weeks in from finding the nodule now. After consultation, surgeon's office scheduled me for surgery In FIVE weeks and he only intends to take the right side of my thyroid if no malignancy is found during frozen disection. If there is, he will remove the left side, and if final pathology comes back malignant, he will go back in & remove my left side. I am concerned about waiting that long for surgery with Hurthle Cells present since they metastasize so easily. Also, if no nodules are on my left side, should he do a TT with Hurthle Cells on the right side? Are they likely to be present in my left side too?
In addition, I am thinking of asking him to send everything to somewhere like Mayo or MD Andersen for final pathology. Is that a good/necessary idea? He is in Louisville. I am concerned that if someone without alot of HCC experience analyzes it, a malignancy could be missed. I would never be comfortable that a benign result was truly accurate.
I was really surprised that neither my endo nor surgeon had much of a sense of alarm/urgency that there were Hurthle Cells present. My endo said the us showed favorable signs for a benign tumor, and she fully expected it to be ok. Smooth edges, blood flow only on outer edge were 2 "favorable" that I remember. Thank you for any help!
G'day.
I had Hurthle Cells in my right side thyroid lobe some years ago and since I seem to be one of the few on this forum who has had that experience I shall attempt to help you in your journey.
First of all, you won't drop dead in less than 5 weeks from having Hurthle cells. If you had Medullary or Anaplastic thyroid cancer then you can REALLY start to panic!
Sure it is a shock to find out about the Hurthle's, I know I freaked out! I had mine removed 3 years ago. I have done a ton of research in both medical journals and elsewhere and can tell you, provided it is encapsulated, as yours is, you will be fine!
Mine was 4.5cms and like yours, no vascular invasion, (blood flow) and nice and contained. The BAD part of it is, Yes, you have to have that lobe out. Yes, Hurthles cells can behave like naughty children and just when you think they are behaving themselves they play up another time. BUT!!!! as I said, you won't drop dead in less than 5 weeks! Yet is a good idea to have it removed sooner than later.
Generally speaking, Hurthle cell adenomas (the non bad guys neoplasms) are usually only on one side. Mine was, and all the research I have seen says the same thing. Your surgeon is right to check and make a decision when you are in surgery. However it is highly unlikely you will have both lobes with Hurthle cells.
Once you have one lobe removed, you may or may not need medication, provided the other side picks up the slack, which normally is the case. Some people however do need medication after around 6 weeks. Only due to the fact the other side simply can't do right and fails to perform, not due to any other Hurthle cells.
3 years after having my Large Hurthle cell adenoma out, I am still here!
Cheers
I had Hurthle Cells in my right side thyroid lobe some years ago and since I seem to be one of the few on this forum who has had that experience I shall attempt to help you in your journey.
First of all, you won't drop dead in less than 5 weeks from having Hurthle cells. If you had Medullary or Anaplastic thyroid cancer then you can REALLY start to panic!
Sure it is a shock to find out about the Hurthle's, I know I freaked out! I had mine removed 3 years ago. I have done a ton of research in both medical journals and elsewhere and can tell you, provided it is encapsulated, as yours is, you will be fine!
Mine was 4.5cms and like yours, no vascular invasion, (blood flow) and nice and contained. The BAD part of it is, Yes, you have to have that lobe out. Yes, Hurthles cells can behave like naughty children and just when you think they are behaving themselves they play up another time. BUT!!!! as I said, you won't drop dead in less than 5 weeks! Yet is a good idea to have it removed sooner than later.
Generally speaking, Hurthle cell adenomas (the non bad guys neoplasms) are usually only on one side. Mine was, and all the research I have seen says the same thing. Your surgeon is right to check and make a decision when you are in surgery. However it is highly unlikely you will have both lobes with Hurthle cells.
Once you have one lobe removed, you may or may not need medication, provided the other side picks up the slack, which normally is the case. Some people however do need medication after around 6 weeks. Only due to the fact the other side simply can't do right and fails to perform, not due to any other Hurthle cells.
3 years after having my Large Hurthle cell adenoma out, I am still here!
Cheers
I know you are afraid and rightly so, but five weeks is really not that bad.
However, if it eases your mind you can always try finding another surgeon. I have always been told that thyroid cancer is very slow at spreading, but then again, that is only what I have heard.
What does your own PCP recommend? Having a TT is not necessary if only one side is having issues, you want your own body making the hormones as opposed to using a pill to do the job.
Again, you can always get a different opinion.
However, if it eases your mind you can always try finding another surgeon. I have always been told that thyroid cancer is very slow at spreading, but then again, that is only what I have heard.
What does your own PCP recommend? Having a TT is not necessary if only one side is having issues, you want your own body making the hormones as opposed to using a pill to do the job.
Again, you can always get a different opinion.
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