I had a biopsy done on 2 nodules, one right (1/2 cm), one left (1 cm). The left came back as "suspicious". During the same phone conversation with my doctor that I found out, he said he was scheduling me to meet with the surgeon. Then he told me that the surgeon would remove the entire thyroid as well as my lymph nodes.
Maybe I'm missing something huge here, but I would think the nodule should be biopsied again or a scan completed. I will be going to Dana Farber on Monday, with my slides, for a second opinion.
My background is this:
-I am 36 years old
-Difficulty swallowing (which prompted the first ultrasound, which showed nodules of no concern to doctor #1)
-Follow-up with new doctor, where he ordered blood work. Perfect levels, but said not to cancel Endo appointment
-Endo did ultrasound in office, nodules looked solid, did biopsy (2 sweeps each, left one was painful!)
-Strongly believe the difficulty swallowing was allergies now
To me, the thyroidectomy seems like the last resort, not the first choice.
I had a biopsy done on 2 nodules, one right (1/2 cm), one left (1 cm). The left came back as "suspicious". During the same phone conversation with my doctor that I found out, he said he was scheduling me to meet with the surgeon. Then he told me that the surgeon would remove the entire thyroid as well as my lymph nodes.
Maybe I'm missing something huge here, but I would think the nodule should be biopsied again or a scan completed. I will be going to Dana Farber on Monday, with my slides, for a second opinion.
My background is this:
-I am 36 years old
-Difficulty swallowing (which prompted the first ultrasound, which showed nodules of no concern to doctor #1)
-Follow-up with new doctor, where he ordered blood work. Perfect levels, but said not to cancel Endo appointment
-Endo did ultrasound in office, nodules looked solid, did biopsy (2 sweeps each, left one was painful!)
-Strongly believe the difficulty swallowing was allergies now
To me, the thyroidectomy seems like the last resort, not the first choice.
Valleygirl, earlier this year I noticed a large lump on my neck. How is it that anyone can not notice a LARGE lump until it gets to be difficult to button a shirt? I had ultrasound and it turned out to be a big lump on the thyroid: 4.5 cms. I had a swift biospy which appeared to be negative but was told the lump would lhave to come out and be re-tested as sometimes a biopsy is not definitive. Dr 1 adivised a full thyroidectomy. I looked up a thyoid expert in my home country (via an old school friend doctor) and he advised a hemithyroidectomy. To cut a long story short: The hemithyoidectomy was straightforward. Not a big deal at all. A few days later I got the good news that there was no cancer. I still have enough thyroid to not need daily thyroxin.
My suggestion: At least get a second opinion from an ENT specialist who does a lot of thyroid surgery.
Most lumps on thyoids are NOT cancer.
Those that are are VERY treatable and the prognosis is excellent.
I'm sure I actually did see my lump when it was much smaller but couldn't face it at the time. You are doing the right thing by investigating this properly while the lumps are so small.
Best wishes and good luck. :-)
The Following User Says Thank You to reptilean For This Useful Post: valleygirl123 (02-19-2012)
I have surgery scheduled for the 17th, and I am going with a partial thyroidectomy, at Dana Farber/Brigham. Hoping it goes smoothly and that I'll be back to work in 4 days!
For somereason, I have just received your post where you are four days away from surgery from MONTHS AGO! If it is possible to reach back in time with a prayer, that is what I am doing now. I hope teh outcome was as good for you as for me.
