large thyroid nodule after BC?

minxie

I've been feeling poorly these past few months with dizziness, ear pain, a wierd pulsing at my throat, and then more recently numbness and tingling in my legs. I told my oncologist about all this and he ordered tumor markers, a brain MRI, and he noticed I was getting a bit of a goiter and ordered a thyroid ultrasound. Well the tumor markers came back normal, brain scan normal, but there was a large (2.5 cm) nodule on my left thyroid. I am scheduled for a biopsy next week.

I've heard of a connection between thyroid problems and BC, but I thought it was the other way round - people with thyroid problems develop BC. 

My biggest fear - that this is BC that has spread to the thyroid. I've been scouring the internet for info and it seems very rare, but a possibility.I already suffer from extreme anxiety and PTSD and this is putting me over the edge.

Does anyone have experience with a nodule diagnosed after dealing with breast cancer? What was the outcome? Thanks -

Anonymous

I had a pet scan during my ordeal with BC. My thyroid lit up the screen. It showd two nodules.I had a CT scan and a biopsy. Both tests came up inconclusive. They decided to remove most of the thyroid  because they feared it might be Hurthle Cell Cancer. Pathology determined it was benign. This was back in April '10. Now I am dealing (not very good) wiith a scar across my neck. Now I wish I went for a second opinion.

Anonymous

Whoops! posted twice. Sorry!

JennyB100104

I have a thyroid nodule, too, although mine was discovered at the same time as the breast cancer. My endocrinologist isn't very worried (but they weren't very worried about my breast lump either...). The situation has sort of fallen by the wayside with my cancer treatment, but I'm getting a biopsy next week.

Jellydonut

Hi Minxie,

I too have a 2cm nodule on my thyroid that after biopsy was found to be benign. That was in 2007/8 and it's still there and all is well.  There are many women on the forum who've had the same condition/concerns, and there are many threads about thyroid nodules.

A biopsy is the best way to determine if it's problematic, or not, and I'll bet yours is not.  The odds for it being benign are definitely in your favor.

I was a wreck too when it happened to me -- seems being a wreck is just part of the process.  Try not to worry because it won't make you feel any better.

Best of luck and let us know as soon as you know.

Hugs,

Jelly

squidwitch42

Minxie,

I am waiting to see the endocrinologist for my nodule and thyroiditis on PET.  Did you have your thyroid blood work done?  I am hypothyroid and on synthroid already.  I believe thyroid nodules tend to be B9...and certainly if you are hyper or hypo thyroid, you can feel pretty crummy.  I know I had an increase in anxiety when my thyroid pooped out on me.  So I am hoping you have something that is easily correctable.  It is so natural to have these fears....but I think the odds are in our favor of this being non cancerous.  I wish the best for you and your biopsy next week.  Hang in there!

Traci

lovetosail

I had a nodule come up during chemo, and it has since diminished in size.  I did have a biopsy, it was benign.  Mets to thyroid would be super rare for BC.  And if this is a new primary (which I'm sure it isn't, as most nodules are B9), thyroid cancer is slow growing and totally treatable.  Hang in there!  And let us know how it turns out

GoldenEyes

I also have a lump  on the right side of thyroid .. my PetScan showed uptake on that one area...SUV was 2.4.. small uptake.. I am going for MRI of the soft tissue next Wed.. then ultrasound..Were you awake for the biopsy on the neck?  Keeping fingers crossed and hands folded in prayer for you.. I hope results are benign

lovetosail

I was awake for the neck biopsy.  It was  uncomfortable, but not painful.  They numb the area first.  After the biopsy, for a few hours, it feels weird when you swallow, but it wasn't too big a deal for me.

Dee2010

I have done 4 thyroid biopsies and was awake for all of them. They're not that painful (and certainly not after going through BC!).  The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign, and of the few that are cancerous, the vast majority are of a very slow growing cancer.  I had thyroid cancer (diagnosed Dec 2006), and have a couple of spots showing up in my lungs whenever I do the follow-up CT scan.  The rads oncologist (I have the same one for the thyroid and for the BC) said not to worry about it at this point because (a) it's probably nothing, they haven't changed size and (b) if it is thyroid mets, it would take 20 years to grow/become problematic.

I haven't heard of a link between BC and thyroid problems; if anyone has any references, I would appreciate the info.

Minxie - keep us posted -- I'll be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way!

PS:  I didn't have IBC until this year (well, diagnosed mid-December 2009) so my thyroid cancer came first.  They're both primary cancers.

suzieq60

I had thyroid nodules show up on the CT scan I had after dx with bc. I've had a thyroid workup and the thyroid function is normal. I've decided not to have it removed as I've had enough with chemo, rads, herceptin etc. and I don't want to have to take thyroid hormones. Also had a thyroid ultra sound and the surgeon thinks it will be fine to leave it. I'm making sure I have more iodine in my diet.

I believe there is a link between thyroid and bc as both the thyroid and breasts process iodine. In Japan, where their diet is high in iodine, there is a really low incidence of bc. I did research it, and any studies they've done are inconclusve so they say. But one study said of 150 bc patients, more than half had thyroid problems - doesn't sound so inconclusive to me. However, there is an increase in throid problems in western society owing to low iodine in the diet.

I always use iodised salt and was pleased to find that they use iodised salt in bread in Australia - a government regulation. We also eat fish as much as possible.

Sue

Anonymous

I was awake for the thyroid biopsy. They did not numb me. It was scary but not painful. Not much pain afterward either.

squidwitch42

I wish there was a section in the boards for poll taking...that way we could develop some stats and maybe have our own breakthrough research.

minxie

squidwitch - I've had no thyroid testing done. But reading up on the symptoms of hyperthyroid - nervousness, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, fast pulse, insomnia, intolerance to heat - that's me to a T. Though it could also be attributed to my general stress levels and chemo after affects. Hard to say. Deepnding on what the biopsy shows, I will pursue further.

Thanks everyone for your insights - biopsy is the 13th, so I have a few more weeks of being a nervous wreck -

blackjack

Minixie...I would ask you MD for thyroid blood test. TSH, T3 T4. I have hyperthyroid now. I believe I got this problem from my rads tx. I never had thyroid issues before BC. I now have lots of issues because of it. I too have multiple nodules on my thyroid, they were biopsied and are B9. We are on the watch and see program as I am allergic to Iodine so no meds for me. Surgery is my only option but I am not in the market for that now. I hope all goes well with your biopsy. 

Blackjack

Jellydonut

Minxie,

Thinking of you and hoping all went well today.

Hugs,

Jelly

turtle42

I had a 2cmx3cm show up on a pet scan shortly after my breast cancer dx. I had it biopsied and it came back b9 so I had an ultra sound done yearly to watch for growth. I had the ultra sound and then about 4 months later I had a check up with the enod and she said it felt like it was getting larger so I went for another ultra sound. It had grown a centimeter in that short time so I opted to have it removed. they said it was my choice to have just that side removed or have the whole thing out. I decided to only do half and I am doing fine. I have my thyroid levels checked every 6 months but it seems that the one remaining side is working fine and I dont need any meds. The tumor was b9 but it was wrapped around my wind pipe so it did need to come out.

minxie

well, I had the biopsy Monday, got the results today - B9, yay! The biopsy itself was not that bad, they gave me conscious sedation so I didn't feel anything, though my neck was pretty sore the next 24 hours. The general stress and anxiety of waiting for the results was far worse.

I am seeing an endocrinologist next week to see what the next steps are. Frankly, though I hate the thought of more surgery, I hate even more the thought of having to get this thing checked every 6 months to see if it's growing, and then facing more biopsies... I'd like to get it the hell out of me. 2.5 centimeters seems huge. We shall see what they say. Thanks everyone for your help!

Jellydonut

Yah! Yah! Yah!

Way to go, Minxie!

Soooooo happy for you.

Jelly

KristyAnn

I just found out this week that I have a nodule on my thyroid- waiting to get bloodwork results and am supposed to get scheduled for a thyroid ultrasound. Finiahsed chemo in August 2008 and finished rads in October 2008 and didnt have any history of thyroid issues before BC.

I also had bronchitis with a cough that wouldnt clear up- in the follow up of those visits, I kept saying my neck area felt like someone was choking me and my nose, ears and chest were all clear- so the nurse practitioner felt my thyroid and found the nodule.

lea321

wow, I was so interested to read your story!!  I am glad to hear it was b9.  BUT, let me tell you my story.  My thyroid nodules were discovered 3 years before my breast cancer.  after ultrasounds, and 2 biopsies, all showed b9 as well.  however, they were growing and over time I began to have problems swallowing.  My endo said surgery may be in my future, so I always knew that.  In June, I decided to have surgery, but with summer vacations,and my crazy work schedule I decided to wait until Sept.  well, had surgery on 9/10 and guess what, they found a 5mm folicular carcinoma.  surprise.  I was shocked, mad, sad, scared all at the same time.  Who know how long this has been living inside my body!!!!  maybe even before my bc.  today, I have started a low iodine diet and will have radioactive iodine treatment next week.  followed by a whole body scan which will (HOPEFULLY) show NO cancer.  I don't know what I could have done differently, but please stay on it.  I realize most nodules are not cancer, but so far my odds are not in my favor with 2 cancer dx's in 2 years.  BEST OF LUCK!

o2bhealthy

I had full body thermography done last month, it showed my thyroid was not functioning correctly so my NP ordered an US.   The results came back, 1 cyst on the left side and 2 solid nodules on the right, the largest nodule showing microclcifications.   I am going in for a biopsy on Monday morning.  I imagine the results will be B9, if not, then it will most likey be a new primary.  For some reason I am not really worried. Of course that could change on a dime

QueenSansaStark

O2B - keeping my fingers crossed for B9! (FWIW, something like 90% of thyroid nodules are B9.)

I've had a "multinodular goiter" (sounds yucky, doesn't it?) for years, it went with hypothyroidism. I take Synthroid. My mom has also had combo thyroid + BC issues. (Both of us are ER+.) I think there is some connection with thyroid problems (not necessarily cancer) and BC and estrogen is at the root of it. Not scientific, I know, but based upon my own experience and that of others I know. 

o2bhealthy

CrystalCat - I think you may be on to something regarding BC, Estrogen and thyroid issues... I will admit when I first heard nodules from the doc I had a moment of crap, crap, crap!!!!  But after researching and reading about thyroid nodules I felt so much better, 90% are B9. I was more worried about mets but have since learned that BC rarely mets to the thyroid.   

Anonymous

I'm TN and they found nodules on my thyroid through a PET scan. Biopsy and Ct scans came back inconclusive. They took it out and it was b9. That was 6 months ago. Now I have to deal with another scar.

o2bhealthy

veggy - I am so sorry you have to deal with another scar, especially when the final path came back B9.  How are you managing without your thyroid?

o2bhealthy

I guess I am joining this club too...

I just got the results from my thyroid biopsy and its cancer (papillary) - I guess the next step is to schedule an appointment with a surgeon...do any of you ladies have any advise on treatment options, etc...

lea321

O2bhealthy-sorry to hear of your diagnosis!  I was told I had nodules before I was DX w/ BC, but I have a feeling the thyroid cancer was there first.  be glad that your biopsy showed cancer now.  I had 2 biopsies over 5 years and both showed b9.  It wasn't until surgery they found cancer.   guess it is not uncommon for that it happen.  I had surgery about 6 weeks ago (mine was follicular) did radioactive iodine (most common form of treatment) and a whole body scan to see if any other little 'critters' decided to set up shop any where else, looks like it has spread to lymph nodes which I understand is rare for follicular.  ugh, never ends....check out thyca.org, a website for survivors.  it has specific facts types of cancer, treatment,and has a great low iodine cookbook which is helpful prior to the radioactive treatment.  good luck! 

o2bhealthy

Lea - thank you for the resource, I am just starting to research my options and the what next...

I am sorry to see that your follicular spread to your lymph nodes, what does that mean for you as far as further treatment options?