Thyroid biopsy worries

[squizita]

Hi
I have a cyst on my thyroid which has become apparent in pregnancy. It is soft, a cyst but with a few small nodules in. I had an ultrasound today which confirmed this (my bloods are normal for a pregnant woman).
The sonographer said he'd refer me for a fine needle biopsy. He said the endocrine dept would be in touch before I gave birth (which scared me given I'm 39+ weeks... but guess he didn't realise) but the appointment would be after I gave birth.
Just really nervous.
NHS says 1 in 15 people will have goiter ... that 5% of these will will have cancer ... but then that cancers are super rare. I know about clinical rarety from past "rare" condition and it doesn't add up. :(

Anyone else have experience of a cyst/nodule flare up in pregnancy? Was it benign? Not bothered about the swelling, it's just a small bump you hardly see. Just don't want to be told ill have a gland removed and chemo with a tiny baby. :(

Not in pregnancy but I had nodules on my thyroid, completely benign! Had half my thyroid removed - relatively minor op, day case.

Even if it was cancerous, they don't treat thyroid cancer with chemo. Also it is very slow growing so they would be able to safely delay the treatment.

Chances are that it is nothing though, most of them are benign!

Thanks so much. :) That's really reassuring ... I was imagining being seriously ill on chemo for months with a baby! But fingers crossed it will be benign like yours.

So it works out as 1 in 15 is 6% and then it's 5% OF 6%, which is like nothing?! Seems rare to me. I'm crap at maths but seems like 0.3% chance?

Clinically not that rare though- it simply doesnt match with only 2000 cases last year. Unless that is being played down. The trouble is they say 5-20% (I suppose this depends on age and history).

To put it into perspective I've a blood condition which affects 0.3% of the population and that wasn't classed as rare. 0.3% isn't very rare medically.

And when you're in the 5% already ...

And tbh "most people won't get it but you might" is not very comforting. :(
Been in this position twice before - once with something very rare. Both times resulted in pregnancy loss, so I'm petrified.

My sister had this. They did all the scans, biopsies etc, removed half of it. All she has to show from it is a faint scar and a beautiful 1yo. Don't worry op!

Aww op I had this a few months ago

Had just had dc3, a few small nodules were found, was told it was probably ok but they recommended a fine needle aspiration. Apparently it's common in pregnancy

I was terrified as suffer from anxiety anyway and just kept focusing on the worst case. Anyway it Came back completely fine and am sure yours will be fine too x

Thanks guys.

For some reason I had this image of anyone who has had any of their thyroid removed as listless and chronically ill forever for some reason (maybe movies or something?)... turns out there are several people DH ans I know who have thyroid issues and you'd never be able to tell.

I guess also, if they cut away anything 'suspect' (like they do with moles and cervical cells) it will make the cancer itself rare.

Glad your sister is OK Honeysuckle and you Gary :)

Aw not at all squiz

If you do have to have any or all of it removed (which is v v unlikely) you will be given thyroid substitute medication to keep you well

My mum had hers out 20 years ago and is completely fit, happy and healthy

I had a cyst which I bled into causing a huge swelling and massive amounts of pain, although not in pregnancy - youngest child was about 4 but apparently the cysts had probably appeared during pregnancy but were not noticed. Worried myself stupid over it after a careless remark by a sonographer about cancer, but it turned out to be nothing sinister at all. Had outpatients check ups for about 18 months afterwards but have never had any problems since touch wood and it was about 8 years ago now. Try not to worry, and remember that even in the worst case scenario, thyroid cancer is very treatable.

Thanks Napoleons. Yes I have heard they usually simply cut 'bad' cells out which though unpleasant is a lot nicer than some forms of the disease. I also had a not particularly reassuring sonographer! No bedside manner.

Actually since I've been worrying several people I know have mentioned they had/have goiters or thyroid issues, and how very treatable they are now. Some have had operations, others just tablets.

Really less scary once you realise how fit and healthy people who have been treated are... I guess it's people who are undiagnosed who feel terrible until they are in many cases.