Help! Don't know if I should have TT

[Jenny001]

I'm so confused.  I'm scheduled to have a TT next week, and I've been reading on this site to find out info and what other people have experienced.  My concern is that this all seems to moving quickly and I don't really understand why I need surgery.  In Jan, my doctor noticed a lump on my neck (which I knew had been there for quite some time) and said I should have an ultrasound.  So I did, and the doctor just referred me to a surgical oncologist who specializes in thyroid surgery.  The surgeon said I had a complex multinodular goiter on my thyroid, with a large nodule (2.8 cm) on my right side and about a dozen small nodules on my left.  So he basically said my only option was to have a TT.  Now, I'm concerned because I haven't had any of the other tests that other people on this site have had (uptake scan, testing of my thyroid functioning, or even a biopsy).  Just the ultrasound.  Is there something the surgeon isn't telling me?  Am I having this surgery for nothing?  It seems like a lot to go through for no specific reason.  (Oh, I'm 28 and in good health otherwise.  I've never have any surgery before).  I would really appreciate some advice.  I'm scared about the surgery and worried about whether I'm making the right decision.

[darksuns]

I know this is a little late, but I wanted to put this in just as extra reassurance.

I had two nodules, had all sorts of tests done (FNA, Uptake, etc. all normal,) and waited 6 months to do it all again. At 6 months, I got more tests done (normal,) but decided to get a total thyroidectomy anyway. During my thyroidectomy, they found cancer. All of my docs now say that I should have had the surgery 6 months sooner!

So, be confident! Good luck! I'll be thinking of you! :)

[utahmomma]

Fingers *AND* toes!

[Thypatient]

We will!

[Jenny001]

Thanks.  I guess I just needed some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.  It's so hard to know with all this.  I suppose I should just concentrate on preparing for the surgery.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[utahmomma]

I also had my TT with nothing more than an ultrasound.  My solitary nodule was complex and after researching it I decided it wasn't worth the risk of it growing.  I opted not to have the FNA because I know there are a lot of false negative results.

My nodule was cancerous - complex nodules are suspicious for cancer and I had a really bad feeling about it.

I had two sisters who did decide to get the FNAs.  Both of their results were negative for cancer but they didn't want to risk it.  Their nodules were cancerous.

All in all four of us had thyroid cancer, the other sister had atypical cells (classified as precancer) and so did my 16-year old daughter.

Your nodule is *quite large* and, if it is cancer, needs to come out quickly.

Age doesn't mean much with this stuff.  The worst case of cancer in the family was in my 24 year old sister.  She had stage II papillary carcinoma and had lymph node involvement.  She has had two recurrences (it spread to her breasts).  Her ultrasound showed a 1cm nodule - ha!

If you had an oncologist look at the scan and recommend surgery, I'd listen.  Even if it is benign, if you get it out it can't turn cancerous.

Like has been mentioned before, if you had a suspicious lump of that size in your breast, what would you do?

Just my $.02

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06
three sisters with papillary carcinoma, one with precancer, and daughter with precancer

[hazelhurst]

I would ask the doctor straight out why a fine needle biopsy was not suggested. I know the biopsy is not definitive, but it does help with this decision. If the biopsy is negative, then you can watch and wait; another ultrasound a few months later can determine if the nodules have grown, and how quickly they are growing. Surgeons almost ALWAYS say do the surgery! It's just what they do.  (I had a TT for multinodular goiter, turned out benign, luckily.)

[Thypatient]

The only test I had for my thyroid before surgery was an ultrasound.  Apparently, it was so bad looking that nothing else was needed.  Honestly, what was described to me was similar to what you say was described to you.

I had the same concerns but then post-surgery pathology showed pre-cancer.  So a TT was a good idea.

You're so young though.  Can you get a second opinion?  What does the original dr have to say?

I hope you get more feedback.  Best wishes.