Thyroid nodule found - very worried

[bookworm1982]

Hello,

I had a neck scan done due to a large lymph node that kept popping up. The lymph node is absolutely fine, but typical that they found something else! A nodule on my thyroid. They've now referred me on to see someone else urgently for possible biopsy, however my doctor did tell me not to worry too much and that most of these thyroid nodules are benign (she said the reason they have put it through as urgent is I'll wait ages otherwise and I am extremely anxious).

Unfortunately, despite her reassurance, I have the NHS health app which tells me the exact findings and now I'm getting worried. Do these notes mean anything to anyone??

"Size of nodule 10 x 13 x 19 mm. Well defined isoechoic solid nodule with thin hypoechoic rim. The nodule shows peripheral and central vascularity. No calcification or cystic areas seen . Features suggest indeterminate nodule (u2/U3), probably folicular lesion."

Looking for some reassurance really, or anyone that has received this kind of thing and gone on to be OK.

By the way, I also have underachieve thyroid. Otherwise no other unusual symptoms.

Thank you so much xxxx

Bump xx

Hello. Yes I have absolutely been there! I have a U3 nodule that was biopsied last year and it came back benign. I was reassured it looked ok not sinister but of course I still worried. Most people develop thyroid nodules and if everyone you knew was scanned half of them would have them. I am due a follow up scan at some point this year. My endocrine doctor said that they rarely turn cancerous if they are benign. Try not to worry I'm sure it will all be ok x

@ladybuggoldfinch

Hello. Yes I have absolutely been there! I have a U3 nodule that was biopsied last year and it came back benign. I was reassured it looked ok not sinister but of course I still worried. Most people develop thyroid nodules and if everyone you knew was scanned half of them would have them. I am due a follow up scan at some point this year. My endocrine doctor said that they rarely turn cancerous if they are benign. Try not to worry I'm sure it will all be ok x

Thank you that is so helpful! How big was yours? Mine is also 2cm, that just seems so big!!

I have a multi nodule goitre with the biggest being 5cm. It’s been scanned and I’ve been assured it’s benign.

Hi. I have a 3cm highly vascular nodule biopsied a few times. Always benign. They were desperate to remove it but I want to keep my thyroid intact so they will monitor it with symptoms and ultrasound. To reassure you even worst case scenario thyroid cancer is very much contained within the gland and removal sorts it

Mine is 1.9 cm

Mine was about that size, bookworm. I had it whipped out in 2007 as it was a better option than worrying about what it might do in the future. The biopsies were the worst part, surgery and recovery was pretty straightforward. No problems since.

My friend had a thyroidectomy in her twenties, due to thyroid cancer. She was told at the time that thyroid cancer is usually curable, and she is still healthy and fine , thirty years on. No health issues other than having to take thyroxine.
It is v unlikely to not be a benign nodule, they are pretty common. But if it isn’t, then the outcome is likely to be fine anyway.

Thank you everyone for your helpful responses. It is reassuring. What worries me though is that mine is solid, rather than fluid-filled. From what I have researched, it is more likely to be benign if it is fluid-filled. Anyone else have a solid one that was OK? Thank you again xxx

Yep mine is solid

Mine is solid too.

I had a solid one that was diagnosed 10years ago and graded u3. But it wouldn't stop growing and was starting to push on my windpipe. Had it taken out with half my thyroid 5 years ago and no issues since. Biopsied lots of segments following removal and all benign.

Hi everyone,

I have received a letter to tell me I have a Fine needle aspirate cytology on the lump tomorrow afternoon, with an appointment to see the ENT team straight after. Glad it's so soon but am absolutely terrified now - I had hoped I'd just have another scan, but looks like the ENT team have seen the neck ultrasound scan already and decided a biopsy should be done I know you've all said that thyroid cancer is very treatable, but surely that's only if it's caught early? This lump may have been there for ten years for all I know. I'm so worried. I do suffer from health anxiety but I feel it's reasonable to be worried in this case. Anyone also had the Fine needle aspirate cytology ? Does it hurt or leave a scar?

Thank you so much xxxxx

I'm so worried. I do suffer from health anxiety but I feel it's reasonable to be worried in this case.

Not really as even with worse case scenario it’s still localised and removing the thyroid generally does the job and maybe chuck some radioactive iodine in for good measure. Would be extremely rare to go beyond that. The stats I have in my head are quite old but it was something like a survival rate of nearly 100% and that’s generally with aforementioned treatment, so not really one to worry overly about.

@HoppingPavlova

I'm so worried. I do suffer from health anxiety but I feel it's reasonable to be worried in this case.

Not really as even with worse case scenario it’s still localised and removing the thyroid generally does the job and maybe chuck some radioactive iodine in for good measure. Would be extremely rare to go beyond that. The stats I have in my head are quite old but it was something like a survival rate of nearly 100% and that’s generally with aforementioned treatment, so not really one to worry overly about.

Ok, I guess you can't get more reassuring than this 😀

I had the fna, it was pretty sore as my nodule was so hard and dense to get into but it didn't leave a scar or anything. Unfortunately they didn't get enough cells to be fully conclusive but the cells they did get were clear of malignancy. It wasn't until I had the nodule removed 5 years later that they biopsied it properly and it was declared benign. I'd take some painkillers in advance. I can't remember if they gave me a local anaesthetic or not so I would ask if that's an option.

@chuffoff

I had the fna, it was pretty sore as my nodule was so hard and dense to get into but it didn't leave a scar or anything. Unfortunately they didn't get enough cells to be fully conclusive but the cells they did get were clear of malignancy. It wasn't until I had the nodule removed 5 years later that they biopsied it properly and it was declared benign. I'd take some painkillers in advance. I can't remember if they gave me a local anaesthetic or not so I would ask if that's an option.

Oh well that's good news eventually! Must have been a relief to finally get it xxx thanks for heads up, I'll pop some paracetamol before xx

Hello, to anyone who has been following this, I had another scan yesterday - but a more thorough one around the thyroid area, and they have confirmed that it is benign (a U2) 😀I didn't even need a biopsy. Thanks everyone for your support and advice. All the best xxx

Great news OP.
For anyone reading who is worried, my friend’s tumour was large egg size, and had taken over almost all her thyroid. Still completely curable and fine.

Pleased to hear you got a benign result.

Saw your post the other day and didn’t want to reply in case I scared you as mine was one of the rare ones that wasn’t fine and it was cancerous.

As lots of others have said, even in this scenario, although frightening, it is easily treated and four years on I now lead a normal life.

Great news ☺️.

:D Thank you. And yes that would have terrified me! So glad to hear you are now leading a normal life and have made a full recovery. All the best xxxx