Thyroid cancer?

[Chocolatebuttonanyone]

I have a nodule on my thyroid. Just been seen under a 2 week wait and there is a 20% chance its cancer.
Shit shit shit.
I know that means 80 percent that its not, but I probably need a hemithyroidectomy anyway.
I cant deal with this right now. I dont know what to do.

@Stomacharmeleon it's like they're trying to drive us insane!

@BellsHolla 2 years?! Jeez, I really
Will go mad if I have to wait 2 years. Hopefully it getting smaller is a good sign for you though

I was treated for thyroid cancer in 2019 . It was a health professional pointing out a goitre on my throat, I had no symptoms. The FNA identified that I had cancer on both lobes and it had spread to lymph nodes. I had a bilateral neck dissection and lymph nodes removed. When I went back for follow up , the tumours were 5.3 cm and 3.3 cm and 21 lymph nodes were cancerous. I then had RAI. I am know on levothyroxine and life is back to normal. It was 9 months from the goitre being pointed out to completion of treatment.

@Doublethecuddles sorry can I confirm what you mean? Did you have cancer again after the bilateral neck dissection and lymph nodes? Was it still there?
Or do you mean that's what they found when they operated?
I am a bit anxious as I have had a reoccurrence it looks like. Have more in lymph nodes and had to be aspirated again.
Hope you don't mind me asking.

Sorry that you are anxious. I had it all removed in a bilateral neck dissection, tumours and lymph nodes. Have you had RAI ? That should destroy anything that was left.

@Doublethecuddles I have but they did the wrong amount. I had a nominal amount- 1.0 and I shouldn't have done. I was supposed to stay in hospital for a week.
It appears the thyroid tissue looks ok. It's the
Lymph nodes that are the issue. Just waiting on results.

I'm going to try to see my GP today. It definitely looks like the results of the scan are back, just hidden from my sight.

I'm not sure if it's a true symptom or anxiety related, but I've had a constant dry tickly throat for days now which is driving me crazy.

Saw my GP today with the report. It's is a BTA U3 - indeterminate nodule. 19mmx5x11
It does say it is solid and vascular though which is not good as far as I can tell. My lymph nodes look ok. Am now being referred to head and neck for onward referral for repeat US with FNA.

I am sorry @stresshead38. Do you feel better for knowing? (That sounds stupid in reflection but I am sure you know what I mean)

I thought it would, but I think because it's still not a firm Yes or no to cancer (is it?) I still feel
in limbo.

I read earlier that this location of nodule is more likely to spread if it is cancer. So that's not helped

@stresshead38 I would prepare yourself for the FNA not being conclusive either. That's where I am at now. Apparently it's very common. But as I've said before, even if it is cancer, the outlook is very positive.

Yes I did think that might happen.

Mine seems to be on the isthmus - has anyone else had a nodule here and it not been malignant? Stupidly googled it to be told it's the most common place for cancer

Limbo is horrible isn't it?! I do think it gets easier the longer it goes on (strangely) as life keeps going and you've got no choice but to go with it. I am pleased that you've at least been able to get these initial results quickly. Please step away from google, it'll send you down a rabbit hole! Do you have any questions about the FNA? I'm happy to share my experience if it'll help.

Yes I know, I'm stepping away now!
My husband got home and I had a good cry and now I'm pulling myself together.

I don't really have any specific questions, but please tell me how it went for you?

I've had a couple of FNAs now, the first was with numbing spray and the second time they insisted on a local anaesthetic. Both times I had a nurse and a radiologist in the room and they were very reassuring throughout. They explained everything and assured me that I could ask them to stop at anytime.

Both times I had to lie flat on the bed and they put the jelly on my neck (tip: wear something fairly low neck!). They used the ultrasound and checked all round the area to start with and took measurements again. They then lined it up with the nodule and I was asked not to swallow from now on, I swear that was the hardest part! You can then feel pressure and pushing about and all you need to do is keep still and not swallow, it doesn't last long. They repeated this twice for me. The needle is so tiny it really doesn't feel like it's that which is going in. Once they'd finished they sat me up slowly as I'm great at fainting. The first time I was made to wait 15 minutes in the waiting room but the second time I was free to go. Both times I had a little bruise but it was fine.

I didn't find it painful and while it's not pleasant it really isn't that bad at all. I drove to and from the appointments. I think the anticipation is worse than the actual biopsy and I wasn't concerned at all about having to have it done again the second time. It's certainly not my favourite way to spend my time but I'd take that over a smear!

Thank you, it's good to know what to expect.
Oddly the pain aspect doesn't really bother me, I've been through a lot of needle as previously had fertility treatment so I think I've become a bit immune to them! It's just find out what's going on that's scary!
Not swallowing seems like it'll be difficult though, and pushing on my throat makes me cough at the moment so we'll see how that goes 😬

I realised my referral says 'referral to ENT and onward referral for further US and FNA'
Does this mean I'll have an appointment with a consultant first who will then ask for the other bits? That seems a bit backwards....

Sheesh this is moving fast. Hospital just called and I have an appointment with the consultant tomorrow afternoon. I'm grateful it's been quick so I've not had as much waiting as some people, but can't help feeling a bit worried that they're getting me in this quickly.
This is not an appointment for FNA though, so presumably he will then request that and it'll be more waiting!

just to say in case it’s the same for you. I was called into the consultant and he offered to do the FNA there and then!

I kind of hope that is the case

That's great news! I found that they moved very swiftly at the start (I suspect due to their two week pathway figures, which are interrogated!) but then it slowed down. I really hope your hospital are better than mine, I've not spoken to anyone who's had their op cancelled 4 times like me so I do think I'm an unfortunate outlier in that respect. I have my results appointment tomorrow so big day for both of us, I'll be thinking of you

@Stillwaitingallyear I will be thinking of you too, what time is yours?

I've ended up having to tell people about the appointment for childcare purposes, and some how have managed to be totally blasé about it to them.... if only that's actually how I felt!

@Stomacharmeleon @NoddyTheNodule have either of you heard anything yet?

@stresshead38 oncologist is ringing me tomorrow after clinic with an update as I cried on the phone to the secretary and said I would be insane by appointment!

Oh @Stomacharmeleon - I completely understand. I'm so glad you're going to get some info sooner. That's 3 of us with things happening tomorrow then.

4.40 but they always run late so add an hour on 🤦🏼‍♀️ what about you?

@Stomacharmeleon I'm pleased you're getting a call at least. I hope it goes well & you get some answers.

3.45, so not much better. X