MRI & US FNA Biopsy

Hi, 

Recently i went to my GP about a mole issue this turned out all fine, however mentioned how often i've been bruising & that it been really bad recently. I am quite a clumsy person so never took much notice before.

However GP done a examination & found a lump in the left side of my neck i was then send for an urgent ultrasound & blood tests received a call back from a different doc same day advising that lump on the left side is fine but they had found a 7mm lump on my thyroid & would need to go for a biopsy as recommended by the ultra sound doc, so currently on the 2 week waiting list. 

Received a letter from ENT for an appointment which happened yesterday i thought this was the biopsy but the doctor put a camera though my nose & took more bloods than has referred me for an MRI & US FNA biopsy. I have a date for the MRI but have heard nothing yet for the biopsy. Its been causing me a lot of stress & anxiety! 

How long do you usually wait for a US FNA biopsy ? 

What are they looking for in an MRI ? & How long do the results take ? 

If its is cancerous what would happen next ? i know this of course could not be the case & it could be a different issue but its really playing on my mind & would really appreciate any advise. 

Thanks :) 

  • Hi,

    I’m going through the diagnosis process currently for a lump in a salivary gland. I was referred for an “urgent” ultrasound, FNA and MRI by the ENT doctor in my initial consultation ln 16 November. I had the ultrasound and FNA on 3 December and my MRI isn’t until 16 December, but the delay in the MRI has been caused by (1) the ENT doctor not putting the request through as urgent initially and (2) a delay in the MRI request being “vetted” so that appointment could be booked. I was told 2-3 weeks in my ENT consultation, so it probably would have been around that timeframe had these two mistakes not been made. I’m frustrated it has happened, but can’t go back in time to change it I suppose!

    I was told the FNA results would take a week or so to get to ENT. I also understand MRI reports take a few working days to turn around. 

    I think where you are in the country can also make a difference as to capacity and timescales; it may be quicker or slower in different places. Definitely sounds like your MRI will be quicker than mine for example. I would say if your FNA appointment hasn’t come through after a week then call for an update.

    Sorry for rambling; sometimes it feels good to just get it down and out of my system for a bit! But I hope it was somewhat helpful and that everything turns out really well for you after the tests. 

  • Hi Loz, 

    Many thanks for coming back to me it has definitely given me more peace of mind.

    No worries its 100 % better to talk about it ! I also hope everything turns out really well for you too & that everythings all okay.  

    Thanks Again :)