Thyroid Ultrasound

Hey there Lillykins,

It all sounds very normal to me.

Basically the pornographer couldn't say for sure that the lump was nothing. So they want him to come back for what is probably an FNA - fine needle aspiration. This is where they take a long thin needle, and take samples from the lump to be tested in the lab.

Just to reassure you, 95% of thyroid nodules come back as benign. So I wouldn't be freaking out. Also, if he happens to be in that 5%, the prognosis is excellent with a 99% survival rate. So even then, it's not really anything to freak out about either.

If there's anything at all you'd like to ask, then please do and we will help however we can!

Lass

Xx

Hi :). .. Don't panic :) .. They are just looking after him.. I had 4ultrasounds... 2with biopsy into the neck either side.. And a camera up my nose and down my throat followed by a Ct scan with dye... They have to be really really sure if what's going on so they will probably go down all avenues, just think how lucky it is that he is being looked at so quick :).... I can't fault my care this far.. Wishing you good luck with the journey :) xx

Hi Lass and Bubbles,

Thank you both for your quick responses. Yes, he got a letter today that he is to have an FNA. I am overly anxious because our son died from testicular cancer when he was just 19, this was supposed to be very curable too. Do you know how long it takes to get the results from an FNA? 

If it turns out to be cancer, what is the treatment? Our son had lots of chemotherapy which had all sorts of side affects. 

Lillykins XX

Hi love.. Bless you sorry to hear that you lost your son :(, lass will answer your questions, she has been amazing on here, you look after you and please take care at this difficult time :) xxx

Anytime you need a chat just shout :).. I can't shout at the min but I can type lol xxx

Hey Lillykins,

I'm so sorry to hear about your son, and it's no wonder you're feeling so anxious at the moment. It's a perfectly natural reaction with that history!

The results of an FNA can take all sorts of different times to come back I'm afraid. It all depends on how busy the lab is as to how quickly they get to the samples. There's a grading system for the results from T1 - T5. T1 means the sample taken was rubbish, and it will need to be repeated in 3 - 6 months time once everything has healed. T2 means the sample is benign, and there's nothing more to be done. T3 means they aren't sure, so the test should be repeated again. This is because some of the cells that tell them if it's cancerous, occur in the thyroid naturally. But it is the volume of these cells that say if it's likely to be cancerous or not. So sometimes, there just aren't enough cells to tell one way or another for sure. T4 means it's likely to be cancerous. T5 means it's almost definitely cancerous.

I will say at this point, that nothing tends to move particularly quickly in the land of thyroids - tests, results, or disease. So please try not to worry about the time things take, that's perfectly normal in thyroid land.

If it turns out to be cancer, what's the treatment is more difficult to answer now than it was a year ago because the protocols have changed. It very much depends on the type of cancer - there are two common types of thyroid cancer, and two less common types - the size of the actual cancer, not the lump because those two aren't necessarily the same thing, and also if the cancer is a variant or if it has infiltrated the lymph system or the vascular system.

First step though is a hemi thyroidectomy. So they would remove the half of the thyroid that has the cancer in it. For some people, that is all the treatment they need and so life continues with blood test monitoring to check the remaining half picks up the slack so they don't go hypothyroid.

After that, there are too many variables to go into details of each one I'm afraid. That would be too much info and might make your head pop. However, what I will say is that chemo is almost never ever used. If there is a treatment needed, thyroid cancer has a specific treatment called RAI - Radioactive Iodine. It's and excellent and targeted treatment, because one of the jobs of the thyroid is to absorb excess iodine from the body and dispose of it. So by irradiating some iodine and then ingesting it, the thyroid cells soak up the iodine like a sponge and then die off. It involves a 3 or 4 day stay in hospital in isolation, but there is rarely any side effect other than possibly a bit of a headache or slight nausea the day after taking the tablet. But some paracetemol and an anti sickness tablet soon take care of that.

After that, that's usually treatment done. There's a scan 9 months later to check they got it all, then it's blood test monitoring. But usually nothing else at all. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule - and I'm one of those in this case. 

But whatever happens, we will be here to try and answer all your questions or to be a shoulder and an ear, so please do just shout if there's anything at all you want to know or get off your chest.

Lass

Xx

Hey Lass

As usual a great reply, you are the best.....but you really gave me a chuckle! The pornographer? ( see first answer of this thread)

Lyllikins, the wait is always the worst, and this place is a good place to feel safe and chat...or vent...or bring good news back!

There are lots of us here, I don’t post much because mine was one of the unusual ones, so only post when I feel I can contribute....but I’m always active in the background....reading other people’s posts.

wishing you and hubby well

Oh jeez oh! Autocorrect struck again! Lol.

It was supposed to say sonographer!!!

Ahahahahaha! So sorry!

Lass

Xx

Lololol! We all need a chuckle and that was a great one!

Happy Saturday to you....although it’s almost coming to an end for you, it’s sunny and 12.26 here!

Hi Lass,

Thank you, you certainly seem to know your stuff. I think the worst bit will be the waiting, not so good at that, all the stress and worry. I have read your reply to hubby and he said it is reassuring, so thank you again. RAI sounds a lot easier than going through months of chemo. Will keep you informed. 

Lillykins xx