My primary care found a suspsicous nodule on my thyroid. I am 36 years old. He referred me to a local endicrinoligist who is right out of school. She wants me to have a FNA Biopsy. However, the facility is a local facility. I want to go into Boston, to the major teaching hospital. I called and got an appointment but it is not for another month and a half. Is it okay to wait that long? The endocrinoligist said it was okay to wait since Thyroid Cancer is slow growing. Is she right? I am so scared....
2006-12-20 03:01:20 · 11 answers · asked by Bet L 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I don't want to wait a month, I can not get an appt in Boston until then. And Yes, I am scared
2006-12-20 03:14:53 · update #1
Its never OK to wait or it will be too late. my aunt just had this cancer and didn't know it so she passed away about 4 weeks ago
trust me see a Doctor as soon as poss able, don't wait
2006-12-20 05:27:15 · answer #1 · answered by MISSY ANN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Waiting a month is okay, I have had thyroid cancer for about 5 years (don't worry I am a rare case) and waited a year for surgery. The FNA biopsy I have had twice, just remember to ask for freezing and it's a breeze. Sometimes a biopsy can come back as inconclusive which happens alot. Thyroid cancer is usually slow growing so this wait time is okay. If you need surgery, don't sweat it, you have no pain because the area is numb for a while. The only discomfort is from laying in the same position while on the operating table. Thyroid cancer is a highly curable disease, chemo is not usually used. Radio Active Iodine is given as a drink or a pill after surgery to remove the remaing cancer cells. I know that it is scary to have to worry about these sorts of things. Hang in there, I have turned my experience into a postive one and I would not change where my life has taken me. This battle has only made me stronger emotionally and mentally. I wish you the best of luck go to the site below for support
2006-12-20 12:52:01 · answer #2 · answered by jen19801976 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have just finished having my operations for thyroid cancer. Firstly let me just say, that a lot of the time, the nodule turns out to be nothing to worry about. Not all thyroid cancers are slow growing but if the endo isnt too worried, then try not to worry. I would personally take the FNA with the local one that is right out of school as its not the actual extraction that is the key, but the lab work done on the extraction. (My FNA was inconclusive) I am also 36 .. I know it all seems scarey but try not to worry, thyroid cancer is quite treatable these days.. it just seems to take forever to get the results and the waiting is the worst part
2006-12-20 19:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by sunfires_heart 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford it, do it locally...and then you can keep your appt. in Boston, should you still feel you need to. Right now it's just an unknown nodule. Could be lots of things; fluid filled sac, scar tissue, etc. Right out of school could be good...up on the latest technology. Take a look at what school/where interned...that may help in your decision.
2006-12-20 03:21:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't believe slow growing...I am on my third round of thyroid cancer because they said it was nothing to be in a hurry about.... for the second time it is in my lymph nodes...i had fourteen out in january ......... i wouldn't go to a doctor who has the approach of 'it's no big deal" ...do the biospy while you are waiting then you will have the results to take to Boston
2006-12-22 15:24:15 · answer #5 · answered by liz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On one hand you say you're scared but on the other hand you want to wait a month. Which is it?
OK but I can't figure out why Boston is an option if you don't want to wait a month. You answered your question before you even asked it.
2006-12-20 03:08:31 · answer #6 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and get the biopsy local.....a biopsy is a biopsy...It will be sent to a qualified pathologist and you will know sooner.....Then decide where you want to go if you have to have surgery....and yes thyroid cancer is slow growing......
2006-12-20 09:26:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-09 02:29:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most thyroid cancers are extremely slow growing, so it is possible for it to be there for five years. Thyroid cancer is so slow growing in fact, that it is highly unlikely for it to kill you. If they continue the watch and wait game, (and you did theoretically have cancer) you probably wouldn't die, so please don't stress yourself out about dying. Thyroid cancer is so slow growing that it can take 15 to 20 or 30 years before it grows and spreads enough to kill a person. And considering how long you've had the nodule, you would have a slow growing easier to treat cancer (if you have it, most nodules are NOT cancer). Having said that, I would suggest you get a thyroid biopsy. At the very least, it will allow you to move forward with this particular health condition and give you peace of mind. The thyroid biopsy is not that bad. They wiped numbing solution on my throat so I didn't even feel mine at all. Take a sedative before hand. It will be fine. An alternative is to keep monitoring it every year, and if your doctors notice that the nodule is getting bigger, then do a biopsy, but if it stays the same size, you could choose to do nothing with no harm done to yourself. Personally, I would get the biopsy for peace of mind.
2016-03-29 01:28:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get treatment as soon as possible!! Don't wait! If you want it could get worse. get treatment soon! Best wishes to your recovery!
2006-12-20 03:19:33 · answer #10 · answered by Willow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋