Headline is - I have a U3 nodule 8mm in size which is inaccessible for a biopsy. After 2 years of tracking, I've been told it is 30% chance of cancer and the only way to know is to have half of my thyroid removed.

My research hasn't led me to anyone else who couldn't have a biopsy. 

Timeline:

- Accidental discovery of a 6mm nodule (June 2023)

- Follow up scan 6 months later. No changes to the nodule but two others had appeared.

- 2 and a half months later, follow up with a surgeon who confirmed biopsy wasn't viable and said the new nodules were not of concern as they were purely cystic. Surgeon never mentioned U3, didn't give a percentage chance of cancer, was quite casual and just said they'd scan it in another year to just be safe.

- third scan (14months on from second) shows it has grown by 2mm and an appointment made within days of this scan to see the surgeon again (this seemed very urgent compared to last time)

- appointment less than a week after the third scan, different surgeon. Told it is: same level of suspicion, but 30% chance of being cancerous and I was asked whether I wanted to wait another year or have the surgery now. I asked for time to think and I have the follow up call in a few days time. I received a letter shortly after the app to confirm the discussion had and U3 was mentioned for the first time in this letter (never received a letter last time I met with the surgeon either)

So, having had some time to think already, I want to seek clarity around why (if it is the same level of suspicion) the two appointments were so different in terms of urgency and messages given. Could it be that whilst it's U3 now and maybe always was, that the slight changes make it more worrying but that they can't officially say U4 due to a lack of biopsy?

U3 (from my googling) doesn't seem to equate to 30% chance of cancer. The letter i received reads very much as if surgery is being recommended as the preferred option.

Has anyone had a similar experience? I don't want to have the surgery if I don't need it... but will never know what it is without the surgery - and if it is cancer, leaving it is risky and I presume I'm risking longer term having to have the whole thyroid out. No way of knowing how it'll behave (if it is cancer) without a biopsy.

Thank you