Thyroid Nodule.

I can relate, all too much.  On my initial PETscan after my bc diagnosis (last March), a thyroid nodule lit up.  So I had an ultrasound and FNA (fine needle aspiration/biopsy).  The FNA really wasn't that bad at all.  My results were atypical follicular cells.  Basically inconclusive.  So they had to remove the one lobe of my thyroid.  About 90% of these results go on to be benign.  

I underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and just 3 weeks ago had my breast surgery.  At the same surgery, they also removed the one lobe of my thyroid.  I was not a lucky one as it turned out to be papillary thyroid cancer.  Fortunately for me, it was small and did not go to the lymph or anything.  At this time, we are just going to do continued surveillance on the other side of my thyroid.  If it was a larger nodule they would have to go back in to remove the other lobe.  5% chance of recurrance in the other node.  We'll see in time if I need to have the other lobe removed or any other further treatment.

I'm not telling you my results to scare you so I hope I've not done that.  As one of my docs said, if there is any cancer you want, this is the one.  The process of the FNA and even the lobectomy (if you'd even get to that point) is not that bad.  Maybe it's the perspective of having bc, chemo, bilateral mastectomies, etc... I'm also BRCA2+ so there is the thought that the thyroid might not be as surprising because of that status.  

I, too, feel like every time I have a scan something else shows up.  I have an inconclusive 'spot' in my liver that we were unable to get a biopsy on pre chemo.  On my last PET something showed up in my colon, so yep, had a colonoscopy last week.  Nothing showed up.  The thyroid.  All on top of just 'regular' breast cancer stuff:)  

Remember that the chances of it being benign/nothing are more likely than anything else!

Best of luck to you!!!

Hi everyone,  

I am usually on other threads but would love some suggestions.  On an MRI they did last month to look for explanations as to why I am having such severe joint pain, mild neuropathy of hands and feet and muscle/ligament tightness and soreness they found a nodule on my thyroid.  I just got the report which is below.

The radiologist recommendations was to keep an eye on this one and repeat ultra sound in 3 -4 months or "alternatively" do a Fine Needle Aspiration.

I see my oncologist tomorrow for a routine follow up.  I am feeling like I want to push for the FNA.  

I have a genetic mutation (not BRCA) but a rare one that predisposes me to cancer, a high rate of familial cancers and on a routine MRI done on my breast prior to my cancer diagnoses they found something that they called me back in for.  They ultrasounded it and said they didn't think it was cancer so didn't biopsy it.  6 months later, in the exact same spot after my routine mammogram they called me back again for an ultrasound - same place, the "spot" had now tripled in size from what they had found on the MRI 7 months earlier and the biopsy showed it was an agressive cancer and HER2 positive.  Double mastectomy, heavy duty chemo and herceptin for a year.  Not sure I like the "wait and see" approach.  I also have noticed that thryoid cancers grow slowly and I am a bit frightened of the FNA procedure.  I would love if any of you would share your experience.

I am leaning towards asking her to do the FNA now and not wait 3 -4 months for another ultrasound.  (Report is below)

Thanks - Julieho