pamelaAM
08-26-2003, 11:27 AM
I am scheduled to have thyroid surgery after a FNA showed results of "inconclusive" for cancer. The endo doctor said that 90% of all masses are benign, but then the surgeon told me that it is more like 50/50. Anyone have any additional information? What about recovery time?
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projapoti
08-26-2003, 01:56 PM
???????? If the tests were inconclusive, it's most likely that the mass in your thyroid is of the follicular cell type whose two different forms (a benign tumour and a malignant tumour) can't be differentiated through a fine needle aspiration. I would seek another opinion because that much of a discrepancy between what the surgeon says and what the endocrinologist says is pretty big. I would tend to go with the endocrinologist though....why? Because (s)he sees ALL the people with thyroid problems whether they are benign or malignant; however, as you can probably guess, the surgeon only sees the people sent to him/her by the endocrinologist, and most of these tend to be cancerous. Either get another opinion from someone who is a non-surgeon, or else talk to your endocrinologist again and mention what your surgeon said.
hilery79
08-26-2003, 06:52 PM
Hi,
I am going through treatment right now for follicular thyroid cancer. My fna was also inconclusive.
I've read a couple books about thyroid cancer. From what I've read and from what my Dr. has told me there is a 90-95% chance a thyroid nodule will be benign. Nodules that have inconclusive results with fna have an 85% chance of being benign.
I know it's scary, but try not to worry too much. Even if it turns out malignant, most thyroid cancers are almost 100% curable. Differentiated thyroid cancer is very different from any other cancer and is very easily treated. (Undifferentiated thyroid cancer is more aggressive, but is really, really rare)
Post any questions you have on the thyroid forum. There are a lot of other people on there who have been through this. They have all helped me so much.
Hilery
[This message has been edited by hilery79 (edited 08-26-2003).]
I am going through treatment right now for follicular thyroid cancer. My fna was also inconclusive.
I've read a couple books about thyroid cancer. From what I've read and from what my Dr. has told me there is a 90-95% chance a thyroid nodule will be benign. Nodules that have inconclusive results with fna have an 85% chance of being benign.
I know it's scary, but try not to worry too much. Even if it turns out malignant, most thyroid cancers are almost 100% curable. Differentiated thyroid cancer is very different from any other cancer and is very easily treated. (Undifferentiated thyroid cancer is more aggressive, but is really, really rare)
Post any questions you have on the thyroid forum. There are a lot of other people on there who have been through this. They have all helped me so much.
Hilery
[This message has been edited by hilery79 (edited 08-26-2003).]
pamelaAM
08-26-2003, 09:52 PM
How do I find the thyroid forum? And thanks so much for your reply.
hilery79
08-26-2003, 11:59 PM
Go to the main list of topics. They're in alphabetical order. "Thyroid Disorders" is near the bottom.
[This message has been edited by hilery79 (edited 08-26-2003).]
[This message has been edited by hilery79 (edited 08-26-2003).]