7.7 cm nodule

[emmymatt]

Hello- I am a 35 y/o female.  Looking at pictures of myself a few months ago I noticed my neck was bigger on one side than it was on the other.  To make a long story shorter, I have a 7.7 cm cold nodule on my right side.  I had an ultrasound and a thyroid uptake scan.  All of my thyroid labs are normal.  I saw the endo doctor last week, he is doing a needle biopsy this week.  Both my regular doctor and the endo doctor said there is a "real concern" given the size of my nodule.  I can't believe that I've not noticed this earlier.  Now that I know about it, it seams like it's causing all kinds of problems.  I can't breath when I lie flat on my back, I cant lift my arms above my head with out almost passing out.  They are telling me to expect surgery reguardless of results of the biopsy.  Which actually I am fine with.  My question is, could this very large nodule actually not be cancer?  Because, I can't imagine that it would get to be this large, and the doctors would express so much concern for me, if it wasn't cancer.  So, I pretty much am expecting the cancer diagnosis.  But of course, it would be great if it wasn't.  I'm handling it all pretty well right now, a little freaked about the biopsy tomarrow, but overall ok so far.

[irgrnma]

I had an ultra sound done due to swelling in my neck.  This was done last July.  Then had a biopsy which was negative.   I was referred to an ENT who really just dismissed this saying it was not cancer and just simply a goiter and all my symptoms were just gerd.  My symptoms were swelling, swallowing issues and when I put my arms over my head it was as if I was holding my breathe.  Getting dressed in the morning caused me to just get so out of breathe.  Now let's go to Feb of this year.  I just didn't feel right about the ENT assessment, went to my primary and discussed everything and she ordered another ultrasound and referral to a surgeon.  After a 2 hour meeting with the surgeon who explained everything to me about surgery, etc and what I would need to do if I didn't have the surgery which included biopsies done often as this mass grew.  I elected to have the surgery and am now 10 days post surgery.  Two days ago I got the call from my surgeon to advise me I had a 7 cm tumor and I had made a good decision to have my thyroid removed.  Now I am being referred to a Endocrinoloist for possible radioactive iodine treatment.  Anyone out there have this done?

[Stephyb1979]

So, back in 2011 I had some tests ran for thyroid issues. Honestly, I didn't have a clue what all the medical information that I received translated to. I just went by what my doc. told me. Well, since then my thyroid keeps coming to mind when thinking of my health issues so I pulled my test results from 2011. Back then my doc said that I may have been borderline hyperthyroid but there was nothing to be concerned over. Looking over my results both the radiologist that looked at my sonogram and the one that looked at my CT Scan said I had hyperthyroidism and possible Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I had a "moderately enlarged thyroid gland" and a 7cm COLD nodule on my right lobe.The doc told me about the nodule but said it was nothing to worry about because it wasn't warm. Obviously he didn't know what he was talking about. I am calling the office tomorrow to get my blood work results from that period and then I am going to see an Endocrinologist. I am so annoyed at the doc. for not doing more for me and at myself for not taking the initiative to be involved more. Won't happen again.

[emmymatt]

Thank you for your post.  I am not actually counting on the biopsy to give me the answers that I need, knowing that many have had false neg's.  Unfortunitly the surgeon won't proceed without it.  They have also said they wont take the entire thyroid unless the needle biopsy shows cancer.  I think at this point given the size of this single large nodule, I would rather have them just take everything.  The thought of having to have a second surgery, if it shows cancer after they take only the mass out, just makes my crazy.  I get it, why take a perfectly functioning thyroid out, when they can just remove the nodule?  That would avoid a lifetime of taking medicine.  But, my thought --- I have this huge mass in my neck, that is growing on my thyroid, that could or could not be cancer.  Take it all out and save me a life time of worrying.  Life time of medicine or life time of worrying?  I think I know what I wouldn't want.  To bad my doctors dont agree with me.

[JMamacita]

My cousin had a 6cm mass removed.  I am bringing this up because she had a needle biopsy done that showed it was noncancerous.  A few weeks later she had the mass removed and when biopsied they found pappilary cancer cells.  Not to scare you but a needle biopsy is not 100% accurate.
I understand you are freaked out, I am basically in your same shoes right now with a 4.5cm mass.  I appreciate knowing about my cousins experience because it helps me feel stronger about my decision to have my thyroid removed.

[LJ333]

I had a 9cm tumore removed about 9 years ago.  Non malignant.  Unfortunatly I have had a major problem with the parathyroids that completly stopped working.  Ended up back in the hospital in CCU for a week on liquid calcium.  I felt it was very important that I had the tumor removed and do not regret it but wished that the Doctors had told me what could happen and what I have to do now because of that situation.  Then I could have made an informed decision.