Ultrasound

[Tracey415]

I recently had an ultrasound and this is what it said. Right lobe of the thyroid measures 4.7 cm x 1.6 cm x 1.6 cm . Left lobe measures 6.7 cm x 2.5cm x 2.1 cm. The gland is slightly heterogeneous in echotexture. In the left lobe, there is a heterogeneous solid and cystic nodule measuring 3.8 cm x 2.2 cm x 2.1 cm.  There is some shadowing in the upper portion of the nodule, which limits its evaluation, though the possibility of underlying calcifications is not excluded. Additional smaller nodule in the mid left gland is also suspected measuring a few millimeters in diameter. The isthmus is thickened measuring 5mm in diameter. In the right lobe of the thyroid upper pole, there is a 9mm x 4mm x 7mm nodule.  
No definite mass is seen in the tissue adjacent to the thyroid
Thyroid is diffusely heterogeneous, though there is a dominant mass identified in the lower pole of the left side for which tissue diagnosis is reccomended and measures 3.8 cm in diameter. Two additional smaller nodules are also noted.

What does all this mean and what shoudl I do about it?

[Tracey415]

Thank you. I will call and request biopsy asap.

[898]

If I would get choice, I will go with biopsy first

[Tracey415]

Thank you. All of my levels are normal including the antibody test.  I suppose I should ask the Dr to schedule a biopsy also then..??

[898]

If you are hyperthyroid, then RAI scan can help to determine if the large nodule is taking more iodine then the rest of the thyroid, indicating that nodule is hot [which reduces chances of cancer] - however some can recommend biopsy for palpable nodules larger then 1cm, regardless of their function.
If thyroid hormone levels are normal, the RAI scan may not add much information, and biopsy should be performed.

[Tracey415]

Thank you for the info. Will a  radioactive iodine uptake scan tell them the same thing as a biopsy? My Dr has scheduled me for that and not for the biopsy..? Thanks!

[MANmom]

You should have a biopsy of the large nodule.  It is relatively painless and can tell them more about if it is something they should remove.  The one nodule is quite large.  Nodules have the possibility of cancer, but only 5-15% of the time.  Tissue diagnosis means they want a biopsy done...do it.  If it is Thyroid cancer, your chances of cure are very good - about 95%, depending on what type of cancer it is.  I had four nodules, three were in the right lobe which was removed in April, the nodules turned out to be benign, but my thyroid tissue had a few very small microcarcinomas in it, so the other half is coming out next week.  I would never have know about the cancer if not for the removal of the nodules.  Since I still have one nodule in the other side, removal of all the thyroid is what I am doing.  Get it checked out, have the biopsy.