Hi. I had thyroid cancer over three years ago and firstly, I will say that lumps on the thyroid gland are very common and the vast majority (I think around 95%?) are entirely benign and harmless. It's not at all uncommon for people to have a scan on their neck for any reason and to find that they have a thyroid nodule that should be biopsied. 

Yes, thyroid cancer often spreads to the lymph nodes, but just the fact that you have enlarged lymph nodes and a nodule on your thyroid does not make thyroid cancer likely. It is one possible explanation, but there are other explanations.

And even if you do have thyroid cancer, which the odds are probably against, it's not what you might be imagining when you hear the word "cancer." Among younger people in particular (which means under about 50), the survival rates for the most common forms are up around 99%. And spread to the lymph nodes makes little difference here. And they don't use chemotherapy or radiotherapy except in very specific cases. Even if it is cancer, the most likely outcome is that they just remove your thyroid.

My experience wasn't really any worse than I'd imagine something like the removal of one's appendix or gallbladder or tonsils might be. The worst part was the anaesthetic.

Feel free to ask if you want to know anything about my experience.

Thank you. That is very reassuring! How was yours discovered? Was your lump actually visible/ you could feel it? If it wasn't for the scan I would have no idea of a lump on my thyroid, just the one on the side! Did you have swollen lymph nodes too? I do like to be in control of things so this is really unsettling for me! 

Yes, my lump was visible but to be honest, I didn't notice it until I went to the doctor for a completely unrelated issue (long periods) and he said "has that lump on your neck ever been investigated?"

No, I didn't have swollen lymph nodes. They actually said after the ultrasound that there is nothing else of concern other than the nodule so they weren't too worried.

I definitely understand the unsettling part, especially when you are waiting for news and unsure of the situation.

OK thank you. This is really helpful. I'm hoping you are doing ok now? 

I'm fine, thanks. Woke up after the operation to be told, "we got it all" and no problems since.