Thyroid biopsy

[Paula2010]

My Biopsy came back as suspicious and I have a 1.9 x1.4 nodule on my right thyroid.  They want to remove 1/2 of my thyroid to see if it is cancer and then if they suspect cancer they want to take the whole thing out while I am under.  I am freaked out.  Is there some other way to find out if it is cancer?  I wrote in earlier with the actual results but cannot find the question nor the answer.  Please help.  I do not want the surgery nor do I want to be on thyroid medication or have part of all my thyroid gone.  

[MANmom]

Yes, get a second opinion, however there is really no way to tell for sure until they either get a cancer cell in the biopsy or remove 1/2 the thyroid and examine it in the lab.  Sorry, but I know how you feel.  I had four nodules, the biggest was 2.1 cm, I struggled with the same, couldn't tell if it was cancer, given the choice of "watch and wait", but after about 8 months of hoarseness I decided to try the lobectomy.  Hoarseness went away, but they did find cancer, so I had the TT.  I did not want to be on meds the rest of my life either, I was only 45!  But my family history is such that three males in my family had Hashi's, so did I and my thyroid would eventually burn out.  Consequently, I read of the family connection and made my sisters get tested, one had the same cancer, the other is being watched.  The only good news is that thyroid cancer is almost always curable, and you can live without the thyroid.  Good luck.

[898_1]

I case of suspicious lesion the second opinion is mandatory

[TwistedHelix]

Hey Paula,

My story is very similar to yours.  I know how overwhelming it all feels right now, but try to take a deep breath and relax.

In June, my physician found an approximately 2.5cm nodule on my thyroid.  My FNA came back as suspicious.  I had 1/2 my thyroid removed on 9/13/10.  They did frozen sections to check for cancer while I was on the table, but they came back as inconclusive, so they deferred diagnosis until after permanent sections.  

Your other option right now is to ask for a second opinion on the biopsy slides to determine if another pathologist could make a more definitive diagnosis.  If the results come back as "suspicious" again, however, the only way you will be able to get any more information is to have the half of the thyroid with the nodule removed.  

The surgery, in my experience, was not that bad.  I was fully recovered in a week (with a pretty sweet scar ;-)), and if your results come back as benign, then you MAY NOT have to go on replacement medication.  For some people, the half that remains takes up the slack, and they are completely fine.  Small price to pay to KNOW for sure you don't have cancer.  Also, there's minimally invasive surgery and Da Vinci surgery that can be done, as well--both of which leave small or tiny scars.

Honestly, it's not as bad as you've built it up to be in your head.  I understand.  I've been there.  It WILL be okay, but right now, you must listen to what your body is trying to tell you.

Let me know what you decide to do.  I hope everything works out really well for you!

Twisted Helix