1cm Dense Thyroid Cyst! Do I have a 2nd cancer? Do I care?

I have twice had thyroid growths in the past, one was removed and one monitored. Biopsies all benign. I take thyroid meds. I think the second one grew because of eating goitrogenic broccoli sprouts daily for three months. Mass started shrinking after I cut down on broccoli and co.

Hi Z, I had a thyroid scare a few years back and the doctor told me if you could choose your cancer, thyroid would be it as it is almost always completely curable. The mass turned out to be benign and was removed as apparently it could interfere with swallowing etc. It was a really easy procedure (from my perspective). I'm not taking any thyroid meds.

Sigh. As Rosanna Rosanna Danna (Gilda Radner) said, "It's always something." When a doctor or dentist recommends another test, it's all I can do not to say, "Get in line." I still have not scheduled that stupid screening colonoscopy, and there are at least three other non-bc things on the waiting list. But I am busy living life and pacing myself so I don't get too worn out dealing with bc. I guess if I were in your position, a biopsy would go to the top of my non-bc medical to-do list, but I would schedule it at a time that is convenient and less likely to interfere with stuff I want to do. If no biopsy, then I would ask about having a second PET in six months rather than a year.

zarovka, I'm sorry to hear about another thing being added to your plate, although hopefully this'll turn out to be nothing.

From what I've researched, it is very rare for mbc to spread to the thyroid, although there have been some cases reported. Most likely this is benign, as others here have experienced. But if it is thyroid cancer, it's best to know about it and go from there. One of my friends was diagnosed decades ago with thyroid cancer and has been fine ever since.

Hopefully all is well, but it may be best to make certain and have peace of mind.

Sending you a warm hug!

Two friends have had thyroid cancer. Both times the docs just removed the thyroid and they take Synthroid. The surgeries seemed relatively easy, though one of them had frozen vocal cords for a while.

How aggressive are you feeling? There is a third option. You can have the biopsy. If not cancer fine. If cancer you can still opt for watchful waiting. Don't have to remove it until/unless you are ready for the OR.

Personally I'd do nothing. If it hasn't grown in a year it probably won't grow enough to be a problem in the next year.

Ask your oncologist about this. Have a thorough work up of thyroid labs. If it isn't bothering you, and you are ok with it, avoid biopsy. I have had a thyroid module for 4 years. I had a biopsy that showed it was cancerous, and had no treatment. It has shrunken slightly over that time.

I regret that biopsy because it puts me out of consideration for any trials. This is the biggest point I want to make.

It doesn't affect my thyroid function (as far as blood tests go). Only you can decide, but talk it over with your family and doctor. Best wishes to you.

Most thyroid cancers are extremely slow growing, and I was told I probably had it for years before the biopsy

Whoa, good point Snowflake.

Oops! I meant to say that I had no idea that a diagnosis of thyroid cancer could affect my eligibility for breast cancer trials. It's late! Theresa