To have or not to have a Thyroid Surgical Biopsy?

[melissaboston]

Question to anyone out there who has had nodules detected that were around the size of 4mm in diameter. I have 2, one is a cold nodule and one is solid, both 4mm in diameter. The one EDO Dr. that I have seen said they were too small for an FNA biopsy and said we should just watch them via another ultrasound in 6 months. So what if the solid one is cancerous? Not that I want to go under the knife but I don't want to be walking around with a cancerous nodule either. Am I over reactiing? Should I just sit back and not worry about it and wait to have the next ultrasound done in 6 months?

I am in the process of setting up second and third opinions with other Doctors for now.

Any advice for experience you have to offer is great appreicated!

MelissaBoston

[melissaboston]

Thank you so much for you comments. Especially about "what if it was in my breast?", I agree. I have always had good instincts and will be certain to be listening to my inner voice even more closely. Thank you.

[utahmomma]

Brief history:

I had a small (5mm) nodule found on an unrelated CT scan.  Ultrasound showed complex nodule (partially cystic, partially solid, irregular borders).  All indicators were to "watch and see" 'cause it was too small for biopsy.  I opted to jump right to surgery because after reading about complex nodules with irregular borders I just had a bad feeling about it.

Long story short, papillary carcinoma.

Over the next 12 months three sisters were diagnosed with papillary carcinoma (of those, two opted for FNAs which were both benign); another with precancer; and my daughter with precancer.

So the two people in the family who had FNAs actually had cancer but the FNAs said benign.  They had that "gut feeling" to get it out too.

Best advice I can give you is to seriously trust your instincts.  Another good piece of advice (which I saw on this site a few years ago) is "what would you do if that suspicious nodule was in your breast?"

Just my $.02 worth

Utahmomma

[selmaS]

how did u end up on Synthroid?


...I am already a user.....I agree espicially this time of year...the glow...the scents.....relaxing.


"selma"

[ChitChatNine]

No to both good ?'s.  Even after they were certain I had these two nodules I could not feel either of them!  And my TSH was normal ..........................but after I ended up on Synthroid and my TSH went below my "normal" 2.8 all of a sudden many symptoms like constipation just disappeared!!!! They stil shake their heads in disbelief!

I became addicted to Yankee Candles during my wait LOL .... they still are my favorite stressbusters to date!!!!

C~

[selmaS]

did u have symptoms during the wait?? and were u put on meds during the wait??

Thanks
"selma"

[melissaboston]

Thank you for your input.. THe waiting is for sure, the hardest. One day at a time, right?

[ChitChatNine]

I am in a similar but different situation.

I had a partial thyroidectomy in Jan 07 due to FNA of atypical cells in 2 good sized nodules (aprox 2.0cm) .. the final biopsy was totally benign.  Upon final biopsy they found two small micro's in the removed gland that were small like yours but definitely papillary cancer .. no lymph nodes and fully encapsulated.

FAST FWD:  The intact side harbors a 4.0mm hypoechoic thyroid nodule that we ultrasound the heck out of ev. 6 mos.  So far it is stable and exactly the same .. it is complex.  4.0 is too small to FNA.

Hang in there and get that 3rd opinion ............................the waiting is the hardest part and not knowing.

C~

[Totie]

I have a 2" mass in my pelvis area that the doctors are not sure what it is. They can not tell me if it is a tumor, lymph node, or just a calcified cyst. They can not biopsy it because of its location (something called "the zuckerland") When it was first discovered they told me to wait 3 months to see if it grew. Had an MR done and it showed no growth. I told my doctor since it does not cause me any pain, to just leave it alone, unfortunately she told me she can't do that, and has to get with a neuro surgeon, that is the only option, Surgery. I just had a surgery, so not in any rush to get another one done.

I guess I don't worry if it is cancer or not. I can't live my life worrying about the "what ifs". I have to much to enjoy at the present.

[melissaboston]

You bet, I will be sure to keep you in the loop. Thanks for replying!

[selmaS]

...I am in the same situation, except that I had my second round of US and was again told to wait another 6 months.....however I was not told if they were hot, cold...ect.....
I have been calling my PC to referr me to another ENDO....Please keep me updated as to whay u find out I will do the same.

Good Luck
Godspeed
"selma"