Ultrasound: FNA Recommended

[Kat1777]

Finally got the results of my thyroid ultrasound yesterday after the report never made it to my doctor for a month and I've gone from scared to terrified.

They've found four nodules, but the dominant one is the one they are worried about. It measures 3.6 x 1.8 x 2.2 cm, demonstrates evidence of increased vascularity and is likely solid in nature. The rest are under 1 cm and not considered suspicious. The recommendation is FNA of the large one, but my doctor has scared me to death. She has indicated that this has all the hallmarks of cancer: large, solid and vascular. I've contacted a local FNA specialist and when his assistant heard the size, suddenly I was on the fast track. They want to see me next Wednesday with FNA to immediately follow.

Does this mean the usual 90% chance that this NOT cancer is greatly diminished for me?

Background info: I'm a 41-year-old female whose only risk factor is that my uncle was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about 4.5 years ago.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Ultrasound characteristics can be suggestive, but FNA is needed to make the diagnosis. You will know more after the biopsy.

[armywife92]

There's good news and then there's more good news. The good news is that even highly suspicious nodules can be benign. I have read stories where the dr was almost 100% certain it was cancer and the biopsy came back benign. The other good news is that thyroid cancer is the most treatable and curable cancer, add to that, no chemo(no loss of hair) is needed. Keep your spirits up, it wouldn't hurt to say a prayer either.