I had a total thyroidectomy in 2010. When I look back at CT scans and ultrasounds the current issue was there in 2015 and moving forward. Now I have a
Much larger. 4CM mass pushing my L carotid artery to the L and it is pressing on my trachea and esophagus. Problem is the mass is low and my collar bone and top of sternum are in the way. You can’t see the mass because it is pushing inward because of the bone. I have to sleep sitting almost straight up otherwise everything gets too crowded. I also have a pacemaker that was put in because of a low heart which I have always had, so can’t sleep on my side because it pushes into my collar bone which pushed on the mass. Apparently when the thyroid was removed a remnant might have been missed. This mass was biopsied and found to be benign which thrilled me because there was carcinoma in my thyroid when it was removed but they said it was minimal. There was no treatment after removal.
I am waiting to schedule an appointment with a vascular surgeon because of the location of the mass. Apparently because it seems to be at the corner of my collar bone and sternum they may have to break my collarbone to get to it. I like my surgeon and he seems highly qualified but am wondering if there is a different way to remove it like shrink it first and then suck it out?! Just thinking this whole thing seems somewhat more invasive than it needs to be especially if it’s benign BUT why would it be benign if I had carcinoma already?
I haven’t seen the actual pictures of the mass and the report of the biopsy is not in my chart. All that was said was benign. Shouldn’t I be able to see remarks in the report on all five “clips” (not sure right word) and what they found in each? So clip one benign and so on and so forth?
The first biopsy showed no tissue and the report was more thorough than the second one. So I need to find out if there are any other options other than open full blown surgery that is so invasive. Anyone else have a situation where the thyroid mass was so low they had to break the collar bone or open your chest?

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