Seeing an ENT consultant on weds next week about a thyroid nodule ,I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago and need a biopsy ,very anxious about the whole thing
Try not to worry too much. I know, easier said than done. But the vast majority of nodules are benign and utterly harmless. I spent the time leading up to my biopsy, chanting silently, "thyroid nodules are common, thyroid cancer is rare." Well, relatively rare. I think over 90% of nodules are benign.
And even in the worst case scenario, if it does turn out to be cancerous, which it probably won't, thyroid cancer is generally...well, to quote my surgeon, "it's not the worst case in the world." The most common form of thyroid cancer has a near 100% survival rate among younger people in particular (younger being under about 50). And it is rarely treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Even if you do have cancer, it is quite likely they will simply remove your thyroid and that will be that.
I had thyroid cancer two years ago. Actually, this time two years ago, I was just about where you are now, awaiting the biopsy, which, by the way, was not too bad at all. I went straight back to work after it. In my case, unfortunately, it did turn out to be thyroid cancer and a very large tumour at that - the cancerous part was 6.7cm.
Then in January, I had my thryoid and all the lymph nodes at one side removed. I was off work for a month, then just got back to my normal life. I now take eltroxin every morning but that is just a matter of taking two tablets and going about my day as normal. I have a bit of tingling on and off in my neck, but that is no big deal.
As the tumour was large and they found cancer also in 8 lymph nodes, I had to have radioiodine treatment, but that is really just swallowing a capsule. It's annoying, as you have to be on a low iodine diet beforehand and you have to be in isolation for a few days afterwards as you are radioactive, but it isn't painful or anything, just annoying.
I see that you have had some very helpful comments from another cancerchat member.
It is fairly standard to perform a biopsy to find out more and make a diagnosis. Most nodules tested are not in fact cancer. However, as has been said already, if it was thyroid cancer, then the majority of the time, these are very successfully treated.
So, try not to over think whilst you wait, and keep busy and occupied, and use the support of friends and family.
