should you get your thyroid out if biopsy is benign

[Fluffy2]

A solid mass was found on my right thyroid, smooth looking, did not look ugly. 1st Biopsy came back inconclusive, having a 2nd biopsy tomorrow. I was advised that even if it is benign, the thyroid should come out anyway because cancer cannot be detected until it is out. Will I live a normal life with the thyroid out. I am scared that the medications will not work for me.

[chilliecaca]

I had a biopsy done back in April. My Dr. called me with my results of the biopsy. He stated that there was no cancer noted, and to have it rechecked in a years time. I was curious as to what the pathology report stated, so I asked for a  copy of my biopsy report when I went to do my blood work. My Dr. got upset with me because I had asked for my biopsy report. I told him I wanted it for my records, I didn't understand why he got so mad. Well I read the biopsy notes and this is what it said...Microscopic Description:
The smear are cellular and composed of a polymorphous population of lymphocytes. Scattered with in this lymphoid population are cohesive nests and small sheets of benign appearing follicular epithelium, some of which demonstrates Hurthle cell features. Cell block preparations reveal predominantly lymphoid population. Rear nests of follicular epithelium are also identified with similar cytomorphology as described above.
Final Cytologic Diagnosis:
Right lobe of thyroid nodule, Fine needle aspiration:
Lymphocytic thyroiditis, compatible with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
NO Malignancy seen.
Should I get a second opinion? Not all FNA can detect cancer right?

[bunnychoc]

thanks MANmom, will research more before i take the plunge...

[MANmom]

Picking a surgeon is the most important thing.  I did not really have a choice, we are military retirees, and we live near Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, so that is where I had my surgery.  I did, however have a doctor friend who used to work at that hospital, he did the research and found the best surgeon in Balboa.  The important thing is choose a surgeon who does at least 50 thyroid surgeries a year, the more they do the better they are. My surgeon does two or three a week on average.  They should be willing to also give you their statistics.  Mine has only had one patient in his whole career that had lasting hoarseness - my main concern since I am a singer.  He was very gentle with my laryngeal nerves, and 5 days post-op, I am beginning to recover my singing voice.  Do your homework, and good luck!

[bunnychoc]

Thx for the replies...how did you choose your surgeon?? I was surfing for website that can recommend good surgeon but find non. I want to be in good hands...my endocrine doc has been monitoring my condition since but he didnt actually encourage nor discourange me in taking out... which makes me even harder to decide. As time passes i'm thinking more n more on it cos when i'm concious i just can feel it there. Esp worried on the risk too...haiz...really vexed!

[MANmom]

Don't be scared of the surgery, I had a lobectomy due to mine on Tuesday of this week, I am on NO pain meds, I am up and functioning, it is really NOT a tough surgery.  I had a surgery on my foot last year to remove a neuroma and that was worse than the lobecomy!

[Reese120]

Hi~

I had a negative FNA last June.  My nodule was 3.5 cm.  I too was advised to have it out because they cannot give you a 100% dx.  I had surgery on 11/4 to have the nodule removed.  While I was on the table they did a frozen section that also came back benign and only removed 1/2 of my thyroid.  On 11/10 I found out, after the final pathology, I had papillary thyroid cancer.  I would recommend having it removed.  The Synthroid will work, it will just be a matter of time of finding the right dosage.  

Take care!

[bunnychoc]

Hi,

I have a thyroid nodule on my right lobe too...FNA showed benign at that time and it has been left there since 2001. I will have ultra sound every 6-9mths to make sure the size of the nodule doesnt change so much. Recently i have been thinking should i get it out because it is abt 2-3cm and i worried as time goes by it may change. For the sake of my 2 young boys should i removed it?? I'm really very very vex as i so scared of the op...and i do not know how to and where to look for a good surgeon. Any advise??

[TDCRose]

is your thyroid causing you discomfort? I had a biopsy that was begnin and thyroid was shrinking with synthyroid for a while.  My right lobe was swelling again so I had a TT on the 20th.  I had a nodule on the backside of my thyroid not seen on us that was causing me to feel like I was being choked.  Piliminary biopsy is begnin, still waiting for final biopsy report.  Operation was not bad and am feeling pretty good right now-just tired.  If you are unsure-try a second opinion-don't rush into anything.   Good luck

[MANmom]

I have the same, but I have multiple solid, smooth nodules, the largest is 2.1 cm. My biopsy was not diagnostic, they found benign follicular cells, but cannot tell whether they are cancerous or not.  I am having surgery tomorrow, they will remove the right lobe and check it for cancer.  It is probably benign, but I am having trouble with hoarseness and swallowing, so it is coming out.  I have researched it a lot, and yes, you could do hormone therapy to see if your nodules get smaller, but solid ones usually do not.  A doctor friend told me that if I waited, that I was only delaying the inevitable because they will eventually have to come out, and I think the sooner the better for me.  Do your research.  I am a singer so hoarseness is something I want to get rid of, if this cures the hoarseness, I will be happy.  Good luck.

[ChitChatNine]

Hi and welcome to our community.  What is the size of the nodule?  

C~
partial thyroidectomy 1/07

[Totie]

In my opinon, I would try the medication as opposed to surgery, but ONLY if they can determine it is not cancerous. I can't tell you to go against your doctors advise, but you could always get a second opinion or you can also suggest  to do a follow up ct scan in 3-6 months to check for any changes on the mass.

Most doctors try to avoid having to do surgery, especially if there are not any symptoms that are bothering you.

Would not do surgery unless you really have to do it. If you do go for surgery, then you will be on medication for the rest of your life. You will have a normal life, but it will take a bit to get your levels to where they need to be, so you will need patience and more patience.