I am not a nurse but I did have thyroid cancer and can reassure you on a number of levels. Firstly, as I kept chanting to myself when I was awaiting the biopsy and then its results, "thyroid nodules are common; thyroid cancer is rare." Only about 5% of nodules are cancerous, so the odds are very high this is not cancer.

And even if it is, thyroid cancer is not like breast cancer. You won't be getting chemo or radiotherapy or any ongoing treatment. If it is cancer (and it's probably not), they will remove your thyroid and maybe some lymph nodes and then you might have to have radio-iodine treatment afterwards, which is basically just swallowing a capsule and doesn't usually have any effects at all, although you do have to be in isolation for a while afterwards as you are radioactive. 

As regards what to expect, you should get the results of the biopsy within a week or two. Most likely, they will tell you it is benign and that will be the end of it. It's also possible it will be indeterminate, in which case, you will have to have another biopsy or have half your thyroid removed so they can test it. 

The least likely option is that they will find malignancies, in which case, they will remove your full thyroid and possibly some lymph nodes. In my case, I had my operation on the 6th of January 2020. I was in hospital just under a week, then was off work for a further three and a half weeks. My voice was a bit weak for maybe two months after the operation (as you can see from the date, the world shut down after that, so it's hard to tell how long it lasted because I wasn't spending much time in loud environments where I would need to raise my voice from March onwards!!) and I couldn't carry anything too heavy in my left arm for about 6 weeks after the operation, but otherwise, I was fine after a week or so.

I do have to take medication now to replace my thyroid, but that is just taking two tablets each morning.

I had radio-iodine treatment the following May which was annoying due to the whole isolation thing, but otherwise, no big deal. I had a nosebleed 10 or 11 days after the treatment, but that was the only effect it had on me.

My nodule, by the way, was 10.5cm, so more like the size of a hockey ball than an olive.

I don't think their wanting to get the biopsy done quickly means they are particularly concerned. From what I have read, two weeks is the norm in the UK whenever there is any possibility of cancer. That seems to be a standard thing and doesn't indicate anything one way or the other.

And the biopsy felt kinda like when you prick your finger on a needle while sewing. Stings a bit but that's all.

Best of luck. I hope it turns out to be completely benign.

Hello Val22 and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear about your situation and appreciate this must be a worrying time for you.

I think you were asking about what will happen once you have the biopsy and what to expect next. There is more information about tests for thyroid cancer including the biopsy procedure on our website.

Waiting times for biopsy results can vary depending on hospitals, whilst 2-3 weeks is usually the fastest some people are waiting longer than this at the moment. Do ask at your appointment what the average wait times are at the moment in Wigan.

Depending on what the biopsy result shows will determine what needs to happen next. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove a larger tissue sample or when abnormal cells ( cancerous or not) have been found just to be on the safe side.

Whilst cancer needs to be ruled out, thyroid nodules are common in more mature ladies and can just be part of the ageing process.

Hang in there for now and whilst difficult, keep your mind on other things until you have all the facts.

I hope you know much more soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Best wishes

Naomi

Thank you for your reply Naomi. I hope I am not waiting over 2 weeks for results . I will ask when I go for my biopsy next week. It’s a long time to wait when you are worrying.