Hello everyone I found a lump on the front right of my neck unfortunately on Friday 13th june I then saw my doctor the following Tuesday and he said I had a lump on my thyroid and referred me for a ultrasound which I had 2 weeks later
I had to go back to see my doctor 2 weeks after the ultrasound for my results I was so nervous and maybe take it all in at the time he said I had a thyroid nodule and that a few percent can be cancerous and I would probably have a biopsy done to test the nodule but my first appointment with a specialist isn't until the beginning of September which I guess is for an examination and to talk about what happens next I'm just worried about the length of time waiting if there is a small chance it could be cancerous and so I was wondering if anyone had anything like this and how long it took to from finding it to getting treatment thanks
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cloudwalker
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I had a 'dodgy' nodule removed, it was benign as they often are. I had an ultrasound and they weren't concerned so nothing was done for 18 months I think, then I had a fine needle aspiration (biopsy) but the cells they got were inconclusive, this was 4 years ago and I don't know if techniques have improved now.
So I had a partial op about a month later. In hindsight, I would gladly have had other biopsies/tests to confirm it was necessary to have half my thyroid removed, but I couldn't take the chance. I was told it was an easy fix, but my half a Thyroid struggles. There are several members on here who have experienced similar.
Cloudwalker, my FNA biopsy was 6 weeks after I found my lump. FNA was inconclusive but surgery was scheduled to remove the lump which was compressing my windpipe making breathing and swallowing difficult. Surgery was 5 months later and post op histology was Hurthle cell carcinoma resulting in completion thyroidectomy 3 months later.
Thyroid cancers are very rare and 90% are also very slow growing so while the delay in finding out is very worrying the delay isn't compromising your health.
Cloudwalker, I'm doing ok now, thanks. Had no problems and very little pain with the ops but it took a long time to get my medication sorted after I was intially overmedicated. Let us know how you get on.
Next, you will likely have a Fine Needle Aspiration. They stick a needle in the nodule using ultrasound to guide them. The cells will then be examined. This doesn't always yield a conclusive result. I had three FNA and in the end a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy which confirmed Papilliary Cancer. So be prepared for non results.
Nodules are still often benign so try not to worry and take it a step at a time.
As Clutter said, even if it is Cancerous most thyroid cancers are very slow growing and a wait of a few months will make no real difference.
Thank you for your message I am sorry to hear that both you and Clutter were diagnosed with cancer I hope you are both okay now, I have read a few posts which say fine needle aspiration can be inconclusive even the vet we take our dog to said the same about a lump he had and they said taking it out straight away was best, it's just the word cancer it's so frightening just hearing the doctor say there is a small chance it could be I also suffer with endometriosis too so I feel pretty rubbish most of the time
But thank you again and to everyone who has replied even though it's not a good situation for us to be in I am so glad we have each other to talk to so take care
A high percentage of lumps are benign especially multinodular ones, the FNA didn't hurt and the op wasn't too bad either. I think it's inconclusive as they only get part-cells, you have to see the cell walls, yes when the ENT doc said the word cancer to me, I just sat there and counted how many times he said it (20) I had no idea what he was telling me.
btw have you had irons, ferritin, folate B12 and Vitamin D tested? All should be at optimum levels for better health. I was left unmedicated & labelled with CFS/ME, so I've decided to self-treat to feel better. Have you had a look round the main TUK site for further info?
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