Question regarding a nodule

[kyrela]

I have a nodule being removed in about a week and a half, and I have had a normal blood panel drawn a few months ago and the thyroid cked out normal I suppose as nothing was ever mentioned. Now the nodule is 11*7*8cm and the Dr just feels better if it comes out (because of the size). Can the nodule give me symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath or anything? How do we know if the nodule is producing anything, and can having a nodule cause heart problems...? Sorry so many questions, but Im nervous and like to be informed.

[kyrela]

well she is concerned as its the only one I have with its size, also it effects my swallowing, so thats a concern also. For my I would rather just not mess around as so many different types of cancer run in my family (not thryoid though) that I just dont want to take that chance..

[utahmomma]

Okay 11mm makes *much* more sense unless you are trying to grow a new head.  :-)

A nodule of that size can be biopsied, if your doctor suggests.  Personally I'm not a huge fan of the biopsies but they have been really beneficial for some patients.

Research all you can and have a heart-to-heart with your doctor.  Most doctors don't usually suggest removal of a nodule that size unless he/she thinks there are more worrisome signs.  You need to talk to your doctor and find out why the push to surgery.  Also get a second opinion from a thyroid specialist (usually an endocrinologist, oncologist, or ENT).

There are those on here who have 3-4cm nodules who haven't had them removed.  It all depends on the lab/scan results, family history, location of the nodule, and anything else that may point towards malignancy.  For mine, I was just aggressive and when I saw my small (5mm), complex nodule I just *knew* that it was cancerous so I decided to be overly aggressive.  Good thing for me because mine was cancer.

[kyrela]

I mean mm, sorry!

[utahmomma]

Wow - really 11cm?  That's amazing.  Yeah, the size of the nodule is very large and needs to come out.  It definitely can make you fatigued, short of breath and could be compressing nerves and vascular structures that could be causing heart problems.

If your blood panel was normal there could be many things about the nodule - it could be fluid filled or with many other things.  Here's a great web site that can help: http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroid.html

This is a great place for information but just remember that many of us on here are the exception to the rule.  You'll find that a lot of us on this forum have been through the worst case scenario and that *doesn't* mean that you will too.  It just means that those of us who have been through the worst stick around to help out others.  Those who just have something small going on tend to move on from this site quickly.  

So don't freak out when you see how many of us on here have serious things - okay?  :-)

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04
  recurrence and RAI '06 and '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma