Papillary thyroid cancer removed but the follow up plan has left me feeling a little unsettled...

[Springy1]

Hi there,

I had the right lobe of my thyroid removed on 20th December as I had a large nodule that had characteristics of malignancy on ultrasound. FNA was inconclusive. The large nodule turned out to be benign but there was a tiny 2mm papillary cancer sat alongside it which was excised.

I had a CT scan which has thankfully confirmed that there is no spread in to the lymph nodes and I have been told that I don't need any further treatment but that I will have annual follow up, commencing July this year.

Whilst I was initially relieved that I don't need further treatment, I now feel somewhat concerned as ultrasound identified a 4 x 8mm partially hypoechoic, partially cystic nodule that shows hypervascularity, in the left lobe . I have been told that this is a cyst...

Has anybody else had a similar experience? I'm not sure whether I should pursue my gut instinct which is to ask for the remaining lobe to be removed to remove all risk of recurrence, or whether this is a naive thought on my part.

I'm seeing an endocrine surgeon next week and any feedback that anybody has, or suggested questions I should be asking, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Springy

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry you have further problems and someone who has had similar experience will respond.

[Clutter]

Springy1,

A fluid filled nodule (cyst) is less likel to be malignant than a solid nodule and only 5% of nodules are likely to be malignant.

Your endocrine surgeon is the best person to advise on the likelihood of your cyst becoming malignant.

[silverfox7]

I had what was found to be a cyst which I had drained by a FNA. This was about 20+ years ago. The testing was fine and it didn't come back.