THYROID DISEASE

Read and learn more about thyroid cancer nodules. For more, visit the Thyroid Disease website ThyroidDiseaseWiki.com.

Q: Does calcification in thyroid nodules mean you have cancer?
Ok so I had a thyroid biopsy done because there were multiple nodules found in my thyroid. I was told they are about 2 cm, (the 2 largest ones) The tech and the doctor that was performing the biopsy they said that I had calcification in the nodules, from what I saw the calcification was a little less than half the size of the actual nodule. Now does this indicate thyroid cancer?

A: Actually, calcified nodules of the thyroid account for only about 5% or so of thyroid cancers in general.

What needs to be done at this point is have the pathologist take a look at them to be sure.

A thyroid uptake scan is usually done BEFORE any biopsy would be done — typically looking for what are termed “cold nodules.” These are suspicious for cancer.

Best of luck to you!

Q: Do thyroid nodules that grow mean cancer? ?
I just had a FNA that came back as “moderately cellular smears without colloid suspicious for follicular neoplasm”. The doctor said I could get half my thyroid removed (the nodule is solid and measurement is 2.6cm x 1.6cm x1.6cm or every six months get an ultrasound to see if it grows. Will growth of this signify cancer? Apparantly, there is a 20% chance that this is cancer, but two doctors doubt it is. Thank you so much!

A: you have been given pretty solid information. “follicular neoplasm” of the thyroid is cancerous in 10 to 20 percent of cases, depending on which studies you read. Unfortunately, to tell the difference between cancerous and benign follicular neoplasms a pathologist needs to examine the entire capsule of the lesion (the layer of tissue on the outside of the mass) and this can only be done with surgical removal. Watching a neoplasm for growth is considered reasonable because of the 80-90% chance that it isn’t cancerous and the fact that even if it is cancerous thyroid cancer is typically not rapidly aggressive. if it does grow on repeat exam that is more worrisome for, but not a guarantee of, cancer. Ultimately you have to decide which you are more comfortable with, having surgery but knowing for sure what it is, or not having surgery and having some doubt. Discuss the risks and alternatives with your surgeon fully before you decide what to do.

Q: Thyroid cancer or just “nodules”?
I have 2 lumps (I guess its my thyroid nodule or something) on each side of my neck. I have had these for at least 3 years. I went to a my Dr. he felt it and said it was nothing. I don’t know though because I have those lumps, pain in my neck (sometimes on my right side of the neck, but mostly on my right) and pain in my ears sometimes. It’s not constant though. He didn’t even want to do any tests or anything, he took my blood to check my levels of stuff and said everything was fine… It’s just been really bothering me.

A: If you’re not satisfied with your current MD you can always ask for a referral right? Maybe he’s not worried because the nodules haven’t shown signs of being malignant( grown larger and are mobile)? Ask for a fine needle biopsy to be sure.

Q: Are thyroid nodules less or more likely to be cancerous when one has been taking Synthroid for 20 years?
Female. Age 62. Thyroid stopped functioning 20+ years ago. Now I have 3 nodules (2 solid, per ultrasound) and elevated Thyroglobulin. Hoarse voice. Cannot find any reference to incidence of thyroid cancer in people who have been on synthetic hormones for years.

A: Taking thyroid supplementation for hypothyroidism, whether synthetic or not, does not raise your chances of developing thyroid cancer. The nodules were a coincidence and not caused by the thyroid hormone supplementation. If you had not had the supplementation you would not have lived this past 20 years or if you did you would have been very miserable with symptoms. I’ve been on thyroid supplementation for much longer than twenty years.

Here is an ACS web page discussing the few real risk factors for thyroid cancer.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_thyroid_cancer_43.asp

Q: Thyroid and cancer? Nodules?
I’m 16. And a year ago I was diagnosed with hashimotos hypothyroidsm. In may my levels stabled out. But I had hyper and hypo symptoms. If I miss one day of meds I feel off. Latley I’ve been having trouble swalloing. And I feel as if flem is stuck in my throat. So my endocrin decided I should get an ultrasound to check out the nodules. I had it on Monday and no results. I have parts of my skin that won’t tan. And no one else in my family has had the diease. Could It be cancerous?

A: I had thyroid cancer and I also feel off if I skip even one dose of my medications. (I don’t think this is due to the cancer since I didn’t start my medications until it was gone/treatment was over, it’s just the way I react to the medicine…so I think that could be what’s happening with you.) I CANNOT go off my thyroid medications or I have a lot of skin, emotional, and other problems. I also feel the phlegm in my throat thing, I think because if I go off my thryoid medications I have sinus problems as well and I’m not sure if my body ever caught up. Maybe you could ask for a mucus thinner, or drink something hot when you start to feel that? If the ultrasound didn’t get any results, maybe you should talk to your doctor about having a test where they look down your throat with a camera and can actually see your thyroid. I had this done for speech issues and that’s actually how they found my thyroid cancer. But mine also showed up on an ultrasound, so if nothing was there and your doctor isn’t worried you probably don’t have anything to worry about.

Q: Do growing thyroid nodules equal cancer?
I have a thyroid nodule that tested as benign about 4-5 months ago. At that time, the sonogram showed it was about 3.9 cm. Just the other day, I saw the endocrinologist the other day and she thinks it has grown about 1 cm.
The endocrinologist said she’s thinks it has grown about 1 cm but I go for an ultrasound today to confirm. If it has grown, I need another biopsy. I am having slight difficulty swallowing and discomfort. She also said my TSH levels are in the lower range of normal so suppressing it’s growth is not an option.

A: Not necessarily. Fast growing nodules could be a sign of cancer, but in most cases, that is not so. A single nodule is more likely to be cancer than multiple nodules, larger nodules (over 5 cm. or -2 inches) are more likely to be cancerous than small ones (however, I’ve been told by my endocrine surgeon anything over 2-2.5 cm is very suspicious). What has your endocrinologist suggested? Are you trying to suppress your TSH to see if it hinders further growth? Are you experiencing discomfort or trouble swallowing? It might be a good idea to seek a surgeon to see what they suggest (cancer or not) due to the sheer size. I wish you the best! I’m sure you’ll be fine!!

Edit: You could always get a second opinion if the results today aren’t what you want (i.e. do nothing).

Q: I have a calcified thyroid nodule.Can it be thyroid cancer?
I am 29 yrs old and 35 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby.
Last week we noticed a big lump on the left side of my neck.My OBG said it was a thyroid nodule.
Tests for thyroid hormone came normal.
The thyroid nodule is quite big about 4.3 cm.
They did an ultrasound and said they saw a lump with a lot of calcification and blood supply to it.
They also did FNA biopsy and took samples from both my nodules since the other one also had a small nodule.

What are the chances that it will be a thyroid cancer?
Also what does the calcification with blood supply indicate?
If my nodule is that big,is there a chance that it may have spread?
If it is not cancer,do calcified nodules or thyroid glands still need to be removed?

I am still waiting for my biopsy results and hoping for the best.
I will discuss all this in detail with my doctor but your answers also will be highly appreciated.

A: The first thing you need to do, is relax.
Understand that IF it is cancer that the survival rate for thyroid cancer is high. Thyroid cancer is slow growing. The chances of it being spread to other areas of the body or to the lymphnodes often depends on the type of cancer you have. There are different forms

Papillary and/or mixed papillary/follicular ~ 78%
Follicular and/or Hurthle cell ~ 17%
Medullary ~ 4%
Anaplastic ~ 1%

I was diagnosed with mixed papillary/follicular carcinoma in 2007. I’ve been fighting ever since.

I’m not gonna pretend with you… your nodule is big. My biggest measured at 4.8 cm. The smallest 4.6 cm. Not too much bigger then yours, they wanted them removed for that reason alone.

Please note, that thryoid cancer is not detectable by blood tests. Many noncancerous thyroid conditions can cause an elevated thyroglobulin level thus the reason the blood tests are not used to determine cancer.

I have provided you with some links to read up all about thyroid cancer and disease. These links have helped me so much, from when they first discovered my nodules and throughout my fight.

Best of luck to you…

Feel free to contact me if you need support, I’ve been where you are and will be for the rest of my life!

Q: What is the treatment for thyroid cancer?
I have enlarged nodules and am wondering about treatment for thyroid cancer, if in fact I do have cancer. I have enlarged nodules on my left and right side.

A: You have a 95% chance of NOT having thyroid cancer. The treatment for thyroid cancer varies depending on the type and stage. The most common types of thyroid cancer (Papillary and Follicular) always have a surgical removal of the thyroid and (sometimes) follow up treatment of Radioactive Iodine (I-131) to destroy any remaining thyroid tissue. Levothyroxine is needed for life since a total thyroidectomy results in one not being able to produce thyroid stimulating hormone. Try not to worry, good luck with everything! http://thyca.org

Q: Can benign thyroid nodule become malignant cancer?
1) say biopsy shows nodule is benign, fine, but how do i know this will not turn into malignant cancer in future ?

2) should i be repeating biopsy every month or what?

3) and can (numerous) biopsies get the nodule to become malignant?

4) anyone whose biopsy detected benign nodule but this ended up being malignant cancer after some time?

A: my best friend of 20 years + had exactly the same as this. When she was around 35 she developed a lump in her neck – the doctor did a biopsy and the results came back benign. He gave her the choice, leave the lump there as it is harmless or, have it removed. I told her to have it removed as I wouldn’t want a lump in me. So, she gets it removed and as procedure, they test it. They then discover it is cancerous – she goes back in for a major operation to have her whole tyriod removed and is now on tyroxine. Remember that a biopsy only removes a small area of tissue and if that area isn’t cancerous then the results will be clear. Hope this helps.

Q: Will all nodules in the neck become thyroid cancer?
nodules in the neck

A: The short answer to that question is NO!
If you have a nodule in your thyroid it will be monitored. They may decide to take it out. The only way to tell if it’s cancer or not is either by a FNA(Biopsy) or to have it removed and sent to pathology.

I’ve sent you a link to a great website so you could educate yourself about the thyroid, diseases of it including cancer.

best of luck…

Q: is new nodule in neck thyroid cancer?
my friend had lymphoma but has been cancer free until they found a nodule in her neck near the thyroid gland, on a recent check up. Could this be related to the lymphoma returning or a whole new cancer of the thyroid?

A: Only her doctors will be able to determine what it is. I had a nodule in my thyroid that was biopsied and it was beign, but about 30 years later I had 2 others sitting behind it, and they were cancer. I hope that everything is going to be okay with your friend. I know she has already gone through enough already.

Q: THYROID CANCER? Is a cold, single thyroid nodule shows vascularization and calcification more likely to be ?
malignant or benign?

Statistically speaking

A: A single thyroid nodule is more likely to be malignant than multiple nodules, but 95% of nodules are benign. A cold nodule (doesn’t make thyroid hormone) can be malignant or benign, but warm or hot nodules have a better change of being benign. A biopsy is usually suggested for cold nodules, but be reassured that 85% of of cold nodules are benign. Fine, tiny microcalcifications are more suspicious for malignancy than large calcifications. Increased vascularity can be present in both benign and malignant thyroid nodules. If there are a number of suspicious signs, a biopsy would probably be suggested.

Q: can beningn thyroid nodule become malignant cancer?
1) say biopsy shows nodule is benign, fine, but how do i know this will not turn into malignant cancer in future ?

2) should i be repeating biopsy every month or what?

3) and can (numerous) biopsies get the nodule become malignant?

4) anyone whose biopsy detected benign nodule but this ended up being malignant cancer after some time?

A: Benign nodules of the thyroid gland are very common. Probably 25% of folks walking around have little lumps and bumps on their thyroids. They don’t usually turn malignant. Repeated biopsies don’t cause cancer either.

You could check on the nodule yearly. Even an ultrasound of your thyroid, yearly, can detect changes in the nodule.

Personally, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 5 years ago. It’s actually an “easy” cancer to treat…no chemo or radiation. Just surgery and radioactive iodine.

I’m sure you’ll be fine!

regards,
mari

Q: What are the chances I have thyroid cancer?
I know there is a 5% chance of cancer if only a nodule is found. BUT I have been having unknown health problems for 4 years. They found my thyroid level to be pretty low. The nodule was mostly solid and the ultrasound couldnt rule cancer out. I didnt see anything about hot or cold. The specialist said he cant see me for 2 months. Ofcourse I am not going to wait that long. Does it seem like my chances are higher than 5%?

A: I guess it is hard to tell, unless I know more about you, but I will try my best to give you some risk factors so you can have a general idea.

Risk factor for thyroid cancer can generally divided intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic risk factors are woman, elderly, and family history of thyroid cancer like MEN syndrome, FAP, etc.
Extrinsic risk factors are diet low in iodide, prior radiation

But the only way to be sure is to do a Fine needle aspiration. (For some time, like follicular cancer, an excisional biopsy is needed)

Hope that helps. Good luck

Q: Where are the top sites in the US for thyroid cancer evaluation and treatment?
Female, 62 years, on Synthroid for 20+ years after thyroid stopped functioning. Recent ultrasound shows two solid nodules (under 2 cm, one in each lobe) and a 3rd nodule “in the upper pole.” Thyroglobulin blood test abnormal. Hoarse voice. Had thyroid scan today. Internist felt growth 3 wks ago which prompted ultrasound. Internist suggests biopsies next at area diagnostic center. Earliest date available Oct. 10. Is this good advice or should I seek endocrinologist exam now? Am a 6 year uterine cancer survivor at an excellent, regional cancer center, which does very little with thyroid cancer. What are the top centers for thyroid cancer? What would you recommend doing in my situation?

A: I had tumors on my thyroid and had it removed when I was seven years old. I would definitely talk to an endocrinologist, if I were you. No matter whether the advice you were given was good or not, the endocrinologist will know what is best for you. Baylor in Dallas is an excellent hospital. They’ve done all of my thyroid related surgeries.