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U4 thyroid nodule and hemithyroidectomy

LadyLuck8
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Hi, I have a thyroid nodule on my isthmus that was graded as U3 initially on a first ultrasound but has now been graded as a U4. I have had two FNA biopsies that have come back normal but my consultant said that because the needle is fine, it could miss the cancer cells. He is not happy with the nodule and says it looks abnormal. There is vascularity, calcification and some other features. The nodule is measuring 2.4cm. He recommended surgery and said I could wait but if it is cancer, it could spread to other areas. I have agreed to surgery and have been referred for a hemithyroidectomy. It will be a day case operation. I'm scared of being put to sleep, the operation and scar, what the biopsy will show...

Is anyone else going through this or has been through this?

  • Hi LadyLuck8,

    I can understand your concerns about the procedure - although it's good to hear you've made the decision and I hope you're generally feeling OK about it.

    It will naturally be causing some concern ahead of the surgery - do be sure to raise any worries or questions with your doctor or the medical team beforehand if you can.

    You are also welcome to speak to one of our nurses if you'd like to talk things through at all. You can reach them on freephone 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5.

    Hopefully you'll get some more replies to your post here soon, particularly if others with similar experience see it. From the homepage of the forum you can also use the search bar at the top to find other relevant discussions and people to connect with.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hiya. I ahd thyroid cancer over six years ago. in my case it was a full thyroidectomy and neck dissection as the nodule measured 10.5cm.

    Really even if you do have cancer, it is...one of the "better" types to have. Obviously no form of cancer is "good" but it is very rarely life-threatening and the surgery usually sorts it.

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    Hi, I just had hemi thyroidectomy surgery week ago.

    My nodule was 2.4cm U3 and then fine needle biobsy was showing papillary cancer (5). They gave me option to hemi or full. Surgery went well, I stayed one night at hospital because had to have a drain in situ. It was a bit painful the first 12-24 hours but then improve quickly. And the first night they gave pain relief ever xouple hours. Just ask that. Now waiting to hear about histology results in 2 weeks time to find if further treatment is needed.

    This week also got informed that I might have melanoma on my leg, will have mole removal surgery in 2 weeks.... 

    Hope you can make good decision for you and it will go smoothly.  At least for me when they did the General anestesia,  it was so nice feeling when I was falling asleep.  And when I woke up, it was all done. 

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