Microcalcification in solitary nodule

[rohit78]

My wife has a solitary thyroid nodule which is complex, heterogenous and has microcalcification. She is 26 years old, has the nodule of this size for last 3 years. Hasnt increased in size (based on physical exam).
What are the chances that it will be malignant?
a)5 to 10 %
b) 20%
c)50 %

No other symptomps.
I will be very gratefule if I can get the reply

God Bless!

[amela321]

I'm so glad to hear your wife's results came back benign.  Hope you take her out to celebrate!!

[rohit78]

friends,

FNA results of my wife's thyrod nodule have come  and she does NOT have cancer.
Thanks to everyone in the forum for all your help and support!!

Luv u all and God bless!
ROhit

[ChitChatNine]

Hello and Welcome to the Community!  

[utahmomma]

Her nodule is actually on the large side.   Mine was *never* found on physical exams - I had a full body scan and it was found on that.  My doctor humored me and ordered the ultrasound.  I had no calcification yet my 5mm, complex nodule just "didn't feel right" to me and I insisted on being aggressive and get it out.  It was so deep and small that none of the doctors who examined me before surgery could feel anything.

Three of my sisters have thyroid cancer too - none with calcification.   We also didn't have a family history of thyroid cancer . . . until me.  :-)

Usually there are NO symptoms with thyroid cancer (or abnormal labs).  

Stay tough for each other and *talk to each other* about all of this!

[whittie918]

The first TWO doctors I seen told me via physical examination that I should not worry based on my age and the stats. Thats nice but please, tell me only becasue you ruled the "ugly" out.  3rd times a charm, I finally find a doctor who gave me an ultrasound and a FNA.  When he said dont worry, he was going to mean it.  My surgeon in fact said they would have NEVER found my cancer based on its location having your routine physicals in our ordinary doctors office.  I had a complete physical in a hospital that included a corrited (spelling?) artery ultrasound for a new job.  Close enough to the thyroid to see the calcification.

I'd say get an Endocrinologist appt for your wife.  Stop worrying what if once and for all and find out definitively.

[rohit78]

ANother interesting thing about my wife nodule is that she first found it 3 years back. her stupid physician told her to not worry about and didnt even recomend ultrasound.
As per my wife the nodule in three years hasnt grown at all (which is again based on her physical exam, not by unltrasound)

Nodule is around 2.9 cm X 1.5 X 2.8 cm

IS it possible that malignant nodule of this size for three years doest not cause an symptomp at all?

[whittie918]

Yes, mine grew significantly though once I had the FNA . I think it allowed it to get out. I must say too that mine spread throughout my thyroid glad (internally) while the nodule maintained the same size.  All the while I did not feel I had symptoms or strange lab results.  I learned later that I probably did feel a bit more run down that usual.  I feel super fabulous now!

No gaurantees though that your wife is like me.  My doctor said like Utahmamma said ~ chances were on my side.  I however worked in a hospital (background radiation) for 5 years and had a 1st cousion with the same condition.

Good luck to you.

[rohit78]

so u had microcalcification in 3mm nodule and it turned out to be malignant?

[whittie918]

Utahmomma gave you lots of great advice.  I'm a case like your wife.  I turned out to be the "worst case scenario" though but trust me, I'm going to be fine. Its the calcification that got bugged me in my little 3mm nodule.

[rohit78]

Thanks a lot.
She has no family history of thyroid cancer and also her solitary nodule is mobile and little softish.
No exposure to radiation as well
Just wondering how bad Microcalcification is in terms of increasing the probability of malignancy
we have biopsy scheduled on April 30.

[utahmomma]

First of all there is a lot more to weigh into the calculations:  family history, exposure to radiation, etc.

The standard formula for thyroid nodules is that 90-95% are benign.  *However* - with the nodule being solitary, no thyroid level changes, being heterogeneous and having microcalcifications . . . that makes it more "suspicious".

Here's a great web site that can give you and your wife more information:
endocrineweb.com/nodule.html    (I left the "www" off the beginning of the address so it doesn't get blocked)

Your wife needs to be seen by an endocrinologist or ENT who specialize in thyroid disorders.  I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE NODULE IS MALIGNANT!  However . . . age doesn't preclude the nodule from being malignant (4 of us in my family have thyroid cancer - the youngest was 24 when diagnosed and she had the worst case).

Read through the web site, and others, about thyroid cancer and solitary nodules so that you and your wife can meet with the endocrinologist loaded with questions.  Even if it turns out to be malignant, you both need to know that the most prevalent forms of thyroid cancer (especially those most prevalent in younger patients) are slow growing and highly treatable!

There are lots of us on here who have been through the "worst case scenario" who can help both of you through whatever questions, tests, or treatments the doctors may order.

Best of everything
Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one stage II with three recurrences)
one sister with atypical (precancerous) thyroid and teenager daughter with atypical thyroid