thyroid nodules

[ericarasm]

Hello All,
I am new to the group and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Erica, I am a 44 year old female with thyroid issues along with Chiari malformation.  My question to the group is concerning my thyroid nodules.  Three years ago after the birth of my first son, I noticed a thyroid cyst swelling in my neck.  I went to the doctor, to discover I had 2 cysts. I was then
sent for biopsies of the cysts. Both were fairly large, one is over 3cm and the other is over 4cm. After I had the biopsy they wanted to remove my thryoid saying that they couldn't tell if I had cancer or not. So I went for a second opinion at John Hopkins university. I brought the slides of the biopsy along and John Hopkins told me that the biopsies were done wrong. One of them only contained blood and the other one was inconclusive for them to tell me to remove my thyroid. Anyway I had another biopsy with them and they told me they were benign and I would just have to check them each year to make sure they didn't grow. Anyway, I didn't have another ultrasound done until this past month, because of another pregnancy and other issues I am dealing with.  So now, after the ultrasound they are telling me that one of the cyst is growing and besides that I have 3 new nodules which are all about 1cm in size.
Well finally my question:  When I go for the biopsy is it safe to only have them biopsy some of the nodules? Am I going to have to have all of them biopsied! I don't think I can handle having all 5 done! But I want to do the safest thing. Does anyone else have experience with this? I'm afraid even if it's not cancer they may want me to remove my whole thyroid anyway, which I really don't want to do. thank you for all your help
erica

[ericarasm]

thanks everyone for your comments. Yes, I didn't enjoy the biopsies much either.
One of my cysts is far inside my neck so it's harder to get the biopsy and hurts more
to do this one. The other one hurt also but I remember it not being as bad as the first one.
I go next week to have the procedure. As for selmaS I talk to her often and she is terrific.
erica

[ChitChatNine]

I am so sorry you are going thru this.  Having one biopsy was tough enough for me 2.5yrs ago.

Are you a member of our Chiari community, too?  selmaS is terrific over there!

C~

[joycekatherine]

Red is absolutely right!  And of course, women are more prone...=(  Hang in there!

[redheadaussie]

Hi there.  
  I can understand your concerns. I had multi-nodular goitre with quite a few extra large nodules coming from pretty much nowhere. They did an ultrasound and only biopsied the ones they could see were not fluid filled. One of the largest ones had a pre-cancer in it. The rest did not. So unfortunately the thyroid was removed.
   I had two biopsies done and it was not pleasant! I doubt seriously they will do all 5 on you. Like I said they will only do biopsies on the ones they believe to be of concern.
   Only if there is evidence of a cancer will they do anything. Sometimes just radiation will be enough to kill off any cancer cells, sometimes surgical removal is necessary.
   If you don't have any problems with swallowing or breathing and your nodules come back as benign, then it would be fine to leave things be.
You would be surprised to learn that many people at autopsies have multinodular goitres and never even knew it!
Cheers!