Hey Mamabookworm,

it may be due to your module not having any suspicious red flags. Usually when they do the ultrasound the operator will take note of size, shape, colour, margins, cycstic or solid and whether it has a blood supply etc. They only take a FNA if the ultrasounic appearance suggests that it is suspicious. For example when I have gone for my ultrasounds my biggest nodule that is very visable from looking at my neck is cystic (fluid filled) not solid and therefore they mark it as benign and do not take an FNA where as the nodule on the other side is solid and has many ultrasonic indiators that suggest it could be cancerous so they take an FNA for it every time. If the operator doesn't think it looks suspicious then they will not perform an FNA. A lot of people will have nodules on their thyroid but they are benign and no cause for concern. Hope that helps. 
 

Of course if you are not happy with your treatment, make sure you go back to your consultant and speak to them about it. Hopefully at the appointment with your ENT specialist they will explain the findings of the ultrasound and it could be that they nodule was not suspicious on ultrasound. 

Hi gibbo184,

Thank you for replying.

Yes, that would make total sense - them only doing the FNA if they saw something worth checking. :) It was only that he told me right at the start, before he'd started the ultrasound that they "don't do those" that made me think it was odd. He said they don't do them at all, even though that appeared to be what I was referred for, according to my letter, so that's what I found confusing.

Hopefully after the MRI I'll have another ENT appointment, and then I'll get to ask questions and find out what might be the cause of my symptoms. :)

I'm not really concerned about it being cancer, as I think I'm relatively low risk, and I realise that even though the ENT specialist said he'd refer me on the 'cancer pathway' nine out of ten people don't have cancer - but even so, the throat problems I've been having are making me feel pretty rubbish, so I'm quite keen to hopefully get some answers. :)

Yes defo ask any questions you have to satisfy your mind. 

You could have hypo or hyperthyroidism, which could explain symptoms. Assume u have had bloodwork done?

I had a nodule and then didnt biopsy it as it showed benign characteristics and was too small to biopsy anyway. Prior to this I had a cancerous nodule on my other lobe. 

Hi Hoof1,

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply.

Yes, I have had lots of blood tests, including for thyroid problems so I presume if it was related to my thyroid it would have shown up in those results?

I'll just have to be patient and see what the next few weeks brings - easier said than done isn't it?! :D

Hey mamabookworm,

What sort of symptoms do you have out of interest? Wondering if they are similar to mine. 
 

it may be that even if it isn't suspicious they may remove it surgically anyway if you are having unpleasant symptoms. 
 

waiting is the absolute worst part! 

I've had a constant sore throat for around eight months, which seemed to start with repeated bouts of what I thought was tonsillitis. I can feel a lump on one side of my neck and I have a dull ache that side which extends to my ear, giving me ear ache. I feel very run down generally and lacking in energy, and often feverish/quite poorly with it. It also feels like I have something in my throat constantly that requires swallowing, separate to the other lump.

I've been on Omeprazole for a few months now in case it was acid reflux causing it, but that has made no difference so far.

I had the camera up my nose last week - ENT specialist didn't say whether he saw anything from that or not. He just said that he was referring me for the other tests 'on the cancer pathway' - I think he also said something about having my tonsils out. I'm really not sure - I didn't ask any questions, but realise I probably should have! :silly: He could feel the lump on my neck.

I bring a notebook to my consultations to write down any questions. Sometimes the consultants are talking away and I'm afraid I'll forget the question I want to ask them. Also I find I remember the info at the time and when I come out I'd forget bits.

Bloods would show up if you had hypo (too little) or hyperthyroidism (too much). Just fyi, bloodwork can be normal in cancer cases...this was the case for me. Not trying to scare you as every case is different. Just thought it was odd your consultant saying they don't do biopsies as it's not good use of their time. Don't be afraid to query them. It's your health not theirs..

Like Gibbo said, if the ultrasound is showing benign characteristics that is likely the reason they're not biopsying. Plus you could have scar tissue from inflammation with soar throats. Hopefully your next appointment will be more helpful.

Hello everyone, I just wanted to say a big thank you for sharing your experiences, questions and answers. It helps to know what to expect and that others have had good experiences. I've recently had a MRI scan to my neck which incidentally showed a large tumor to my left thyroid. I am now fast-tracked to see the ENT consultant coming Monday. My sister had thyroid cancer and due to the size and shape of my tumor all the red flags are up. Strangely I have no symptoms really and there is no swelling either tho it's 7x4x4cm large. The only thing I noticed over the past year or so was the same as some of you said, feeling like I needed to swallow twice, and being tired a lot. I just put it down to some flam and  my 12hr shifts as a nurse. The reason I got a private MRI scan done was ongoing numbness, pins&needles and intermittend nerve pain in my right hand. The chiropracter said it could all be related to the tumor as it pushes everything over and possibly causes pressure on my nerves n blood vessels into my hand/arm. Never ever expected that... 

I do hope you all are doing well!!!

Hey mamabookworm,

Your ultrasound experience is very strange. Every time I've been sent for an ultrasound and FNA, a consultant is there doing the scan because they know what they are looking for and are qualified to perform the biopsy procedure. So definitely not good that you were just sent to a normal technician. Definitely follow that up with the consultant as that's not the standard practice where I am (London). 
 

I can second what Hoof was saying, if your blood results show you have hypo it's hyper Thyroidism then that can explain swelling of the thyroid but if your bloods come back all clear then It points more towards cancer. However the majority of nodules will be benign, it's just another indicator they look for.
 

Sending positive thoughts! Hopefully you get more information soon, waiting is horrendous, I hate it! 

Let us know how you get on. I will update with any next steps I have when I eventually get them! Nice to have a platform to talk to others that have gone through or going through the same process.