Thyroid nodule on scan?
Posted , 9 users are following.
I had a neck ultrasound on a Monday to check a lumpy thing like a boil on the back of neck. It had been there for years and never changed and was assumed a lymph node but got infected and swelled and I had neck swelling too.
I had the scan on the Monday afternoon and was told there were no lymph nodes, my lump was most likely a sebaceous cyst and my salivary glands were ok. (I had had stones there previius).
I thought it strange that she said my scan would be back with my gp in a day or two and the following day it was back with my gp.
I then received a letter on the Wednesday to make a non urgent appointment to see her and was given on just over a week later.
I went on Saturday and was told I had a thyroid nodule and they needed to do a fine needle aspiration biopsy. I had no idea tbh. I had neck pain previous assumed arthritis and swelling and my face often swells. I do feel really cold always and I suffer extreme anxiety and other symptoms but never related them to a thyroid problem.
When I read about thyroid nodules and thyroid disorders I would assume my symptoms would relate more to an underactive thyroid, not overactive.
Reading on there is something about hot nodules and cold nodules.I have no idea what mine is yet.
Does the biopsy hurt and do they numb it? How long does it take for the results or are they instant?
Thanks to anyone that can answer. My husband asked if it's possible it could be cancer and she said yes it could be unlikely. I really don't want the thyroid out.
Thanks
0 likes, 180 replies
karenskip
Posted
Right, think I get it now. A biopsy can also tell other things regarding thyroid disease and from what I have read, it seems I may still have one of these even with normal tsh.
I have been reading about Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. I wonder if this is what I may have. Surely they can't think it's cancer or else I wouldn't be waiting for a biopsy that long and I didn't realise that a biopsy could detect disease.
deirdre01438 karenskip
Posted
I was thinking I had something similar Karen. It's just playing the waiting game now. I'm sure if it was something sinister it would have been done straight away.
karenskip
Posted
My biopsy has come through for 4th may. Quicker than I expected as when I rang the other week they said 12 to 13 weeks. Oh well at least it's another thing done and dusted.
Does anyone know if it hurts?
karenskip
Posted
karenskip
Posted
Just had my fna biopsy this morning. I applied emla cream before and must say it was no more uncomfortable than having a canula inserted.
I asked why it was being done and was told that the nodule had more blood flow than they would like to see. I asked if she thought it was malignant and what percentage and she said she only did biopsies and she didn't think it was malignant but the biopsy was needed to be sure.
They took one sample and checked it but did have to take another one too.
Just have to wait two weeks now for the results.
karenskip
Posted
When she showed me the scan there were two round things. One dark and the other light right next to each other. The darker one is the main artery that takes blood to the brain and heart she said. My nodule is close to that so I really couldn't move.
karenskip
Posted
I've had a call from doctors today and apparently wasn't enough to do sample. My nodule is also solid she said. (Although before and after piccies of it looked like fluid filled to me as it was lopsided after the biopsy). They are speaking to a specialist now to see if they need to do it another way and I've just got to wait now for them to get back. Not completely out the woods yet it seems. I assume they mean another way as in core biopsy. Anyone had one of these done?
Deirdre, how have you gone on?
karenskip
Posted
Spoke to doctors again cos apparently they are now referring me to ent but I was told by receptionist that it was non urgent so I should collect choose and book forms. I had a think about this and know that ent has a long wait list so called them back,to enquire agsin the results of my biopsy. I couldn't see that if there was a chance of it still being cancerous why I would be waiting months to be seen at ent as I know the wait.
She put me through to the doctor who said they may want to do another type scan and she had sent me urgent. I told her I was told to do choose and book which wasn't urgent. I just don't know what to think. I just want a benign answer naturally and if it isn't benign ftom this scan biopsy then I want urgent reassurance.
deirdre01438 karenskip
Posted
Hi Karen, sounds like you are getting the run around, it's awful isn't it. Sometimes I wonder if the doctors actually know what is going on. I hope you get seen soon so you've can be assured and get peace of mind.
I've no update yet. I'm still waiting to speak to ent about my results of MRI scan. I'm seeing them on Friday. They don't seem worried about it at all.
It's awful not knowing what's happening. I hope you get results soon. Fingers crossed for you.
karenskip deirdre01438
Posted
Hi dierdre
So you've had an mri scan done. I wonder if this is the scan I may have? My results were back within days and I was told two weeks. I read about the radioactive type scan but non the wiser. The doctor says she does not want to send me for another biopsy and wants to now hand it over to ent. I have my appointment on 25th may and it was an urgent one. I suppose it's because they are non the wiser about my nodule being malignant or not. All I know now is its solid and has more of a blood flow than they would like to see and just over 1cm.
It's horrible waiting for results. I don't work so it's hard not to think. I am trying to keep busy though. I wish you well for Friday and hope you post up again. I am writing my diary on here because of the followers lol. It's good to share I think.
take care and thanks for the update.
karenskip
Posted
Well everything changed now. My doctor called today to say that a consultant at my local hospital has sent a letter to say I need to be seen on an urgent and something about a mdt team. I now have had my appointment cancelled for the 25th (which was at another hospital) and I've got to wait for a call from my local hospital to arrange my appointment now. My nodule is what is classed as a u3 apparently so still needs to be cleared or being cancerous. It's now getting me a tad worried tbh.
karenskip
Posted
Wow. Just had call from hospital. Tomorrow at 2.15 my appointment is. I thought it would be another 2 weeks wait now but not. It's even quicker than my original one at other hospital being 25th. At least tomorrow I should know more. Sorry if I'm annoying anyone. It's like my diary.
karenskip
Posted
Well I went on my appointment yesterday and was told my result is a thy1 which basically needs repeating. I said to him "so that's good then" and he said "well no, we still don't know".
I did ask bluntly if he thought it was cancer and he said that there is a 20% chance . I then replied Of course that means 80% not.
I am going I assume next week for another biopsy and then go back to him in 2 weeks time from yesterday for results. If they come back the same he says they then would operate and take half my thyroid to test.
I just hope my result is a thy2 (benign).
karenskip
Posted
Well got my consultant appointment through for 1st June so we got in touch with ultrasound to find out when my urgent biopsy is. I was told it would be 12 weeks agsin, even for urgent scans, she said they are struggling. I have tried to speak to consultants secretary but she's not answering. I am at a loss now. Again if they "really" were worried of cancer would they make me wait 12 weeks? I think I've got to cancel my consultant appointment perhaps. It's getting me really down all this.
I have found a clinical trial whereby they use a different scan for nodules with a classification like mine and I've emailed. I know it's waiting again but my scan results were back with my doctor the first week of March and it's going to be the end of august before I know one way or another if I have thyroid cancer.
karenskip
Posted
I had a call from hospital 2 days ago to go to a different hospital for another fna biopsy and went yesterday. I am now waiting for the results on 1st June. I just hope it's a benign nodule. I have decided that if it comes back the same I am going to ask about watch and wait. I don't want anymore surgery so just have to pray for a good biopsy result.
cindy1980 karenskip
Posted
Hi Karenskip, I'm also in the same situation. I had my blood test which shows everything is normal and ultrasound detected nodules on both the sides with the impression of no worrisome features. But my dr wanted me to have nuclear scan and the results came as cold nodule and also suggested biopsy to confirm benign features. I'm really worried whether it is benign or not . Waiting to fix an appointment for biopsy. My prayers for you to get your results as benign.
karenskip cindy1980
Posted
Hi Cindy
I have heard of that nuclear scan and read about it but it was never suggested with mine. It's what is classed as a u3 nodule. It's in between ultrasound wise and that is how they decide on biopsies or not. Mine is solid too and has more blood than they would like to see so I am told. I've had the two biopsies now and the consultant did say if it comes back the same again according to the next step it's half my thyroid out and then if it's cancer he said if it's less than 1cm they leave the other half and maybe some radioactive iodine treatment. If it's larger they take the rest and radioactive iodine. I guess he told me because I did ask if it comes back non diagnostic again. I wish they would do that scan on mine but like I say he never mentioned it for some reason.
I hope yours goes ok and I can say if you do have a biopsy it's not as bad as I thought, I did use emla cream though.
Let me know how you go on.
cindy1980 karenskip
Posted
Hi Karen I'm not clear even after the ultrasound that clearly mentioned the nodule does not have any malignant features the need for biopsy and also how much time it takes and do they give local anasthesia and was it painful after the biopsy can you please share the details.
karenskip cindy1980
Posted
Hi Cindy
if they do a biopsy some hospitals in the UK do use local but it seems most don't. I used emla cream which I applied 2 hours before and it was no different than having a canula in for me. It takes roughly around 15 minutes in all as they do two punctures usually I think.....mine were both two. You lie with your neck extended back on a narrow pillow and they use the ultrasound to guide into the nodule.
I hope you go on ok.
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