Thyroid Nodule, FNA Recommended

[thyroidprob]

I am a 21 year old female.  As a 15 year old, I underwent a thyroid ultrasound in which they found a small nodule on my right pole.  Since it was small, we did not take action and I again received an ultrasound when I was 20.  The nodule was solid and had doubled in size.  We once again waited and I again received another ultrasound 6 months later.  The nodule is relatively the same size, but has changed in nature.   There is increased vascularity and an ill-defined border.  A FNA was recommended, but my parents want a second opinion first.  Is this the standard procedure?  Is it normal to have a relatively normal nodule for a few years and then it all of a sudden change in size and nature? What's the prognosis for a solid nodule with increased vascularity and ill-defined border. Thank you

[898_1]

if that nodule is larger then 1cm, and has a blood flow it needs to be tested with biopsy, especially if the rest of the thyroid is normal. the biopsy in your case should be done under high frequency ultrasound live doppler in order to gat a good sample not the blood.In event of question the specimen can be molecular tested to r/o cancer. (Now it is about 20% chance to be malignant) Good luck1

[MANmom]

I would get the biopsy for sure.  Several things you have said are indications that this could be something more that just cells.  I don't want to alarm you because the thyroid is very hard to diagnose.  Vascularity is sometimes an indication of cancer - cancer needs a blood supply to survive, so if it is vascular, it raises your chances of thyroid cancer.  A normal, solid nodule has a 5 - 15% chance of being cancer, throw in the vascularity and you are now in the 20% category.  Ill defined borders are another sign that it could be cancer, that puts your chances up to 40% or so...is that high enough to get you to get the biopsy?  Cancer usually does not grow in nice round tumors.  Nice smooth round tumors are usually not a problem, although mine were cancer.  Fast growth is another indication that it could be trouble.  There are four types of thyroid cancer, Papillary, Follicular, Anaplastic, and Metastatic.  The first two are the most common, the latter much less common.  Anaplastic and Metastatic grow rapidly and are the most deadly, the growth should NOT be ignored.  With all you have posted, I would get that biopsy soon, just to be sure.  You can live just fine without a thyroid if they have to remove it, don't be afraid of that. I have not had my thyroid for 2 years, I feel great. My friend's mom died of Anaplastic thyroid cancer, her tumor grew huge within a week, she died a few months after that.  Not worth putting it off.  Hope that helps.