Cancer Research UK main site

Thyroid nodule. What to expect.

jc92
Offline

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 

  • Offline

    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.

  • Offline

    I found a lump in July 2024, had an ultrasound and it was TIRADS 3 - FNA came back as indeterminate Thy3F. Had a follow up ultrasound a year later and it had hardly grown but I was scheduled for a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy due to it being a follicular neoplasm. It looked very 'benign' and had no suspicious feature except for it's size (3cm) Turned out I had FV-PTC. It hadn't spread out of it's capsule so I only need follow up bloods for the next 5 years or so to make sure I don't get a recurrence. I think benign can grow fast, just as malignant can be slow like mine. How did you get on with your appointments?

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.