Thyroid Nodules

[momof2bboyz]

Hello. This is a first time I've ever joined a blog. I posted this entry in the wrong place first time around so here it goes again! Does anyone know the significance of a 9mm hypoechoic thyroid mass with peripheral vascularity. Also I have a small 5mm mass described as "inhomogeneous" with peripheral vascularity as well. I have a couple of very small cycsts as well. From what I know, They cysts aren't as concerning as the solid masses. Anyone have any thoughts? I have an appointment with a surgeon next week. Thanks sooo much!

[momof2bboyz]

Interesting...sounds like you have gone through your share of things with all of this. Thank you for sharing your story.

[ChitChatNine]

They generally don't repeat FNA's based on atypical because I had enough cells captured to definitely note they were atypical so I had a partial thyroidectomy about 9 weeks later.  However, what I will mention that has happened to a few others on the board, too, is that even though these two nodules were 100% not cancer after taken out and fully biopsied, they did find two totally different tiny tumors elsewhere in the gland that were cancer (papillary) but not invasive to lymph nodes or anywhere else.  They never showed up on ultrasound and probably would not cause any problems as they were so tiny (5.0mm's) and this is the type of incidental finding they sometimes find on autopsy (in 30% of cases) when people die from other causes.

So to answer your ? .. mine were totally benign with two other very small areas found upon final biopsy that were paillary microcarinomas

C

[momof2bboyz]

Thanks for the welcome! It was good to read your story. Did you end up with a repeat FNA or surgery or did they just say it was atypical but benign after the first FNA?

[ChitChatNine]

M solid hypoechoic nodules were FNA atypical and turned out totally benign.  WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY!

C~

[momof2bboyz]

It's good to know that my symptoms are probably unrelated to the nodules. Perhaps it is still GERD and this is just an unrelated new discovery!? Oh well, I will see the doctor on Wed. and I will just give it to God. Thank you everyone who posted answers for me! I really appreciate it.

[898]

Assuming that you are not having chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, the nodules in your thyroid are not that big to cause such symptoms; in order to cause hoarse voice the nodule must "seat” on the nerve.
The hypo echoic nodule is by the definition is a blind spot for ultrasound, that is why the nodule considered suspicious as the ultrasound cannot give good image of these types of nodules.

[momof2bboyz]

Thank you so much for your post. It sounds like you have really been through a lot with all of this. How are you doing with it all? I also have a mother who is going to be getting a biopsy around the time I am. I have two other sisters as well. Maybe they should get checked? I know I don't know what it is, but cancers have been very present in our family. My dad is battling a Lipo Sarcoma recurrance right now. I haven't shared this with him. I won't until I get a diagnosis. The thing that scares me is I have been seeing and ENT doctor because I have had hoarsness of voice, paralized vocal cord and a full feeling of my neck with occasional difficulty swallowing and breathing at times. He thought it was GERD, but after putting me on additional meds for it, the symptoms remained. So, he ordered the ultrasound and that's what they found. Trying to keep a strong mind. Statistics are on our side. But then, people like you have had the same statistics and you have gone through hell I am sure. You and your family will be in my prayers.

[utahmomma]

Inhomogeneous is just a fancy way of saying heterogeneous or made up of different material.  Also suspicious.

Here's a great reference site that taught me tons when I was going through it.
http://www.endocrineweb.com/nodule.html

My best to you

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and probably '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma; another sister with "precancerous" thyroid cells; teenage daughter with precancerous thyroid cells

[momof2bboyz]

Thank you, I appreciate your time and insight! Do you happen to know what inhomogeneous means as far as a tumor or nodule characteristic? Thanks again for your response!!!

[898]

In general terms the hypoechoic nodule is believed to be 30 % suspicious for malignancy; the ultrasound guided biopsy can be scheduled for this one [9mm one].
However the percentage indicates risk only, not the probability! If the nodule is stable for long time most likely it is benign."The nodule’s peripheral vascularity on color-flow Doppler, is found in about half of benign nodules"