Confused - Thyroid Nodules - History of Family Thryoid Cancer

[mandii_lou2009]

I am 33 years old. I had a Thyroid scan one year ago after incidental finding of 11mm thyroid nodule. FNA showed Colloid Nodule.

A year later, follow up ultrasound. It is quoted as essentially stable as solid nodule 12mm x 10 x 6mm. Tiny cystic changes is again present. Mild Internal Vascularity. Left Lobe, Parenchymal echogenicity is normal, however vascularity is mildly increased. Same with Right Lobe. A new predominently cystic 8mm nodule is present on right isthmus.

Should I request to get another FNA if the nodule now has mild internal vascularity? It suggests I may also have background thyroiditis and clinical and biochemical correlation is suggested. I did have a few thyroid tests a month ago which all my levels are within normal ranges.

However, the dr I saw just said come back in a year for another ultrasound. My mother had her thyroid removed last year which had 2 papillary carcinomas.

[mandii_lou2009]

Thanks. I just hate going in to dr's sounding like I worry too much. Maybe I should just ask instead of thinking too much about it.

[ChitChatNine]

Just my two cents here ...

If your instincts are calling you to consider an FNA and your doctor will approve it I would probably get it done.  I know how hard it is emotionally on the roller coaster not knowing what is what and relying on ultrasounds and old tests.

I have an ultrasound done every year on my side that's still intact.  I am lucky it is exactly the same size and presents exactly the same as benign ones removed in '07 that were >1.0 cm.  But if ever grew >1.0cm and I had any thoughts at all about having an FNA I'd go.

Just my own opinion .. even to get "normal" results from your FNA .. you'd be better suited emotionally to deal with the what if's from visit to visit IMHO.

C~

[mandii_lou2009]

Thank you for your reply. Maybe I wasn't clear but the 12mm nodule is actually mainly solid with only tiny cystic changes. That is the nodule with mildly increased internal vascularity. It has only grown 1mm since last year and back then it didn't have any significant vascularity. The other 8mm nodule which is only new since last year is mainly cystic with benign features. All my mums tests were fine too when they found the cancer and she had hashi's too. It's funny as I know it's usually slow growing but still can't help worry that they just tell you to wait another year. I hope you are feeling better now.

[MANmom]

Luckily you don't have to rush into a decision. Since they are predominantly cystic, they are probably not too worried, the vascularity is a concern but not always an indicator or anything to worry about. Does your doc know about the family history? You could ask for another biopsy, although most of the time, there is no definitive diagnosis from a biopsy. If it is cancer, it is slow growing and usually doesn't spread, so waiting is an option. If you must, ask for another biopsy, but again, often you won't get an answer. If the nodule gets solid, has hyper-vascularity, gets irregular borders or calcifications, then they will probably go to the next step. Until then, you are probably stuck with the waiting game. By the way, all my thyroid tests were fine except for the TPOab...I had Hashi's.....I still had cancer, too.