Thyroid nodule. What to expect.

Hi, a few months ago I thought I felt something in my neck, when doing my skincare, and when I went to feel it again I couldn’t. Then about 5 weeks ago, I did the same again, but immediately found the lump just by looking in the mirror. I was referred for an ultrasound. The doctor didn’t really give me any information other than ‘we are not saying it’s cancer, but it certainly warrants further investigation due to its rapid growth and it pressing in your windpipe and changing your voice’ he said that the ultrasound could not help them distinguish obvious features of malignancy OR being benign. I see ENT this Friday to discuss what we do next. 

did anyone else have an ‘indeterminate ultrasound’ report? If so, what was the eventual outcome? The lump is large and can be seen by others straight away now. It’s grown very fast in the last few weeks. Will they likely suggest to just have it removed? 

thanks in advance for any help 

  • An ultrasound cannot usually tell if it is cancer or not. I think there are a small number of cases, like about 5% where it pretty much rules out cancer but the normal is for the next step to be a biopsy. I think about 5% of those biopsies ate cancer.

    If the BIOPSY is indeterminate, they might just remove half your thyroid but I'd imagine they'll biopsy first.