Thyroidectomy: What to choose based on 70% cancer probability?

How large is the nodule that came back indeterminate?

Hi - 2.5 cm

Hello, I am really sorry you’re going through this, but I definitely understand your concerns as I went through an simular situation about a year ago. I had a 3 cm nodule on my right thyroid was FNA biopsied and it came back inconclusive. They did genetic testing and it came back 90% with BRCA mutation.
We decided to do the full thyroidectomy, and after surgery they found two similar nodules on my left that didn’t show in the ultrasound. All nodules came back positive for papillary cancer and I had 7 lymph nodes positive for papillary as well.
I would listen to your surgeon as you don’t know how advanced the cancer could be until surgery. I didn’t think it was spread and into my lymph nodes because of the inconclusive biopsy. Luckily it is a slow growing cancer, but I would be precautionary as it may be more advanced like mine. Since it was in my lymph nodes I had to do the Radioactive Iodine Therapy. If I could have had my thyroid out earlier to avoid the treatment I would have.
Just my two cents from my current experience. Best of luck to you!

Thank you so much for your reply! It was very helpful. How was it determined that your lymph nodes were affected? During the surgery?

Yes after surgery. The surgeons took out 15 lymph nodes in the thyroid bed and 7 had papillary cancer.

Wow. I am glad you are ok. I’m sorry you went through that. I am still educating myself regarding the thyroid so I appreciate the information!

I just found out a week or so ago that the nodules that I have been monitoring for five or six years have grown and turned cancerous. I was shocked to hear this news because I have been having ultrasounds every two years, and the nodules have stayed stable and benign. When this last ultrasound detected growth, I had to have a biopsy, and cancer was detected. I am fortunate to have a wonderful endocrinologist and new surgeon and my thyroid will be removed on May 21st. I am nervous about it but realize that it has to be done. The dr told me that I will have to go on thyroid medicine for the rest of my life. As long as all of the cancer will be removed, I don’t mind taking a pill every day. MaryAnn from Boston

Hi Mary Ann - Its really been a journey for you to get here. I wish you the best. Please let us know how you are doing after the surgery. Thank you for sharing your story. Take care.

I am going through the same situation. I am hoping that it has not spread to my lymph nodes. I am having surgery to remove the entire thyroid on May 21st. I was blown away when this diagnosis was told to me because I had been going for routine ultrasounds on these benign nodules. Two nodules have grown and become cancerous on the right side. On the left side, there is a tiny nodule that is too small to biopsy, so the surgeon left it up to me as far as removal of half the thyroid or the entire thyroid. I am having him remove the entire thyroid because I don’t want to take any chances if that left half remains and then something develops. I have an excellent Boston surgeon who has made me feel very reassured that I will be okay. I am grateful for that, but still dread undergoing this surgery. Thank God that it is a slow growing cancer and curable! MaryAnn from Boston

@gillsden, just checking in. Did you make a decision about getting a thyroidectomy? How are you doing?