I have a swelling on the right side of my neck that meant investigation. Thyroid hormone levels were fine but v high antibodies attacking thyroid. Scan, aspiration on nodules and a nightmare 2week wait for biopsy results having been told high risk cancer thankfully turned out to be benign .result goitre and follow up in a year.  I have gone nuts obsessing about every lump and bump being a cancer but am trying to believe consultant is correct in diagnoses. It is scary when the c word is dropped at you . 

Hi

Sorry to reply to this thread but came across it as I was looking things up.

I am in the same position where I have a lump in my neck. GP said it feels like it's on my thyroid. I've had thyroid bloods done and they have returned in normal range but I still have this lump. GP has also referred me for an urgent Ultrasound scan and I have only been waiting a week for the appointment. How long do urgent scan referral appointments usually take? Can I also ask what were other peoples results from their scan.

Thanks everyone

C

Just to let you know, the ultrasound probably won't give you a final answer. Most people - not all, but most - need a biopsy. Just to say that because it can be scary when they send you for further tests.

I don't know how long urgent appointments take because I'm in Ireland and...yeah, everything takes longer over here (an awful lot longer sometimes!)

Thyroid nodules are extremely common and the vast majority are benign - like 95%ish. If it is a thyroid nodule, it's not going to go away but that doesn't mean it's anything serious. Most likely it's just a cyst. I'm not sure the bloods mean much either way. Most nodules and many thyroid cancers - probably the majority - don't have any symptoms.

Even if it if cancer, it's not what you might be expecting when you hear the word "cancer." The most common forms of thyroid cancer have a survival rate close to 100% and they don't use chemotherapy or radiotherapy except in very particular circumstances. 

I wasn't told the details of my scan result, just that a biopsy had been recommended but that there was nothing to indicate cancer. Basically, the scan alone gave little information either way. I think in some cases, it can indicate a biopsy isn't necessary and sometimes it can highlight concerning features that mean cancer is likely, but on it's own, it can't diagnose cancer.

Just to let you know, the ultrasound probably won't give you a final answer. Most people - not all, but most - need a biopsy. Just to say that because it can be scary when they send you for further tests.

I don't know how long urgent appointments take because I'm in Ireland and...yeah, everything takes longer over here (an awful lot longer sometimes!)

Thyroid nodules are extremely common and the vast majority are benign - like 95%ish. If it is a thyroid nodule, it's not going to go away but that doesn't mean it's anything serious. Most likely it's just a cyst. I'm not sure the bloods mean much either way. Most nodules and many thyroid cancers - probably the majority - don't have any symptoms.

Even if it if cancer, it's not what you might be expecting when you hear the word "cancer." The most common forms of thyroid cancer have a survival rate close to 100% and they don't use chemotherapy or radiotherapy except in very particular circumstances. 

I wasn't told the details of my scan result, just that a biopsy had been recommended but that there was nothing to indicate cancer. Basically, the scan alone gave little information either way. I think in some cases, it can indicate a biopsy isn't necessary and sometimes it can highlight concerning features that mean cancer is likely, but on it's own, it can't diagnose cancer.

Thanks for your reply.

I've had my Ultrasound scan and as you mentioned I have nodules. They don't like the look of one of them and it has blood flow so it's been graded higher. I'm now on a 2WW for a needle biopsy. 

I know only a small percentage are cancerous so trying to remain positive and optimistic.

C

Yeah, most are not cancer and even those that are are treatable and very, very rarely life-threatening. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in November 2019, had my thyroid removed in January 2020 and was back at work a month later.