Hi all, i have a large thyroid cyst on the right side of my thyroid (6x4cm) that has steadily grown over the last 10 years or so, I've had several FNA and they've all come back benign, but I want the lump to be gone.
My endocrinologist suggested partial thyroidectomy to remove the right side. Only problem is, my profession is a singer, actor and voice-over artist, my voice is my entire career. I've read horror stories about people have vocal chord problems for months after, and as I've recently paid of my student loans my family and I are essentially living hand-to-mouth at the moment, if I lost my voice for any length of time myself and my young children would become homeless, it's not a risk I can take.
As it's just a cyst they have tried draining it, but the liquid inside was too thick to drain with a standard needle, they said they could do it surgically but unless it was removed it would likely fill back up in a few months. I have read about Ethanol injections, my doctor says they don't do that here as it's experimental and has risks, although I've read it's standard procedure in places like Italy.
Is it possible to get Ethanol injection here in the UK? If not could I get it done in Italy? I'm keep to get the unsightly lump removed (it really knocks my confidence and find myself wearing high neck tops or scarfs all the time, which affects my acting roles obviously).
Any help greatly appreciated.