My wife is about to have an operation on her thyroid to see if it has cancer. How big will the scar be?

Question

Obviously i need to add that i am asking on her behalf.

Obviously i need to add that i am asking on her behalf as it is something that concearns her at just 28yrs old

Hi after reading some answers i just wanted to add i am NOT asking for vanitys sake!! I have 2 young children, i was anxious how it would affect them seeing that and how long it would take to get back on my feet. My husband didn't write it very clear but i am not vain, all i care about is the impact on my children and husband. And to clarify i have had the biopsy ( your right so painful) and the scan and it has come back inconclusive this is the next step, removal of half the thyroid and the nodule. Thanks to everyone who gave helpful advice and not sarcasm. xxx

Answer 1

For finding out if your wife is having cancer on her thyroid gland area no surgery or operation is required and it can be found our by other methods where there will not be any scar marks. They are -

To aid in diagnosis, you may have one or more of the following tests:

* Ultrasound scan. This imaging technique uses high-frequency sound waves to outline the neck anatomy and detect abnormal growths. While very good at identifying whether a growth or nodule is present, ultrasound scans can't tell for sure whether it's malignant or benign. Ultrasound is safe, with virtually no complications associated with its use.

* Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. This test is generally considered the most sensitive for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

During the procedure, your doctor places a thin needle through your skin and into a nodule and removes a sample of cells. Several passes are usually needed to obtain tissue from different parts of the nodule. If you have more than one nodule, your doctor is likely to take samples from as many as possible. Often, your doctor will use ultrasound to help guide the placement of the needle. The samples are then sent to a laboratory and analyzed under a microscope.

Only a small percentage of biopsied nodules are malignant. This diagnosis is based on the characteristics of individual cells and patterns in clusters of cells that are different from normal thyroid tissue. In some cases, a pathologist can determine specific types of cancer from an FNA biopsy sample.-

Only in case the cancer is found then surgery may is required for removing the tumor.-

Answer 2

Hi! I have had surgery twice on my thyroid and have a scar that sits neatly where the neck stops and the chest begins, even though they operated twice the scar is not bad as the second surgeon managed to cut almost exactly over the first surgery. You would think that two operations of this nature would leave an obvious scar, but you would be surprised! I don't notice it anymore than I did after the first time. I also find that it is easy to disguise with a necklace of the type that sits at that position. A single slim chain link being enough. So please tell your wife from me, that if she is to have this surgery that surgeons will try and cut where her neck skin folds naturally and after a little time she will be barely able to distinguish it herself without looking closely. Of all the surgery I have had, and that is not a small amount, I found that I was not very self-concious of its effects. I hope that her surgery goes well, which I am sure that it will. Just thought you might like to hear from someone who had done this twice, if only to halve any pre-op worries! The good thing is that even if the biopsy result is not the best that this surgery often will be totally sucessful without any further treatment required. Best wishes to both of you.

Answer 3

Hey! Just the biopsy is done using needles, no scar. Please Please make the doc give her local anesthesia. I have had 3 kids, 2 back surgeries and assorted other junk, but the needle biopsy for thyroid cancer was the most brutal thing I've ever undergone. They pushed 7 needles through the muscles in my neck, saying that the biopsy needles were "smaller than the anesthesia needles" It was brutal!
Ok so then I had my thyroid, parathyroids and some infected tissue removed and I have a thin white line at the base of my throat that is about 4 inches long and looks like just another wrinkle! Hang in there!!

Answer 4

OH MY GOD Mike, back??? Yowee. Um nonetheless struggling with maximum cancers too, the thyroid has many applications and with any elimination of even an element, those applications are compromised. IE: Your metabolism alterations, between different issues, regardless of the truth that urge for nutrition would really strengthen to help in producin the regulatory hormones, you may want to devour till you burst and by no skill get what's critical to finish the organic applications. because that is a gland, similar in procedure to the Lymph glands it really is the position my maximum cancers is, that is continually regulated by technique of meds, like stuff with iodine, calcium, and amino acids, in a style of a complement. frequently there is weightloss, alterations in skill, TYROSINE from the Greek for cheese, is considered a non mandatory amino acid must have some reason to be protected?

Answer 5

Some thyroid disorders can be cured, but many require lifetime treatment. Learn here https://tr.im/WlGVF
For example, sometimes early stage thyroid cancer can be cured by surgery to remove the thyroid gland, but you will need to take thyroid hormone medication afterwards for the rest of your life. Goiters can also be surgically removed and do not always recur after surgery. In most cases, thyroid disorders need treatment over a lifetime. However, with treatment most people with thyroid disorders can live normal, healthy lives.

Answer 6

A biopsy to CHECK will have a VERY small scar - under 1/2".

If it results in REMOVAL it'll be around 3" long (7.5cm). This is the typical scar length. Most surgeons try to keep it as neat as possible and follow any lines in the skin.

LIke any scar - it will be a bit pink for a few years, but will gradually fade.

Answer 7

about three inches.

I have one on the side of my neck. It takes a little while to heal and she will be a bit self conscious of the scar. It does get better and it does heal. Mine is two years old now and barely noticeable. But in the beginning months I felt hideous and it didn't feel good.

When you go home it won't be that painful. The scar feels a little firm and in two weeks you will go to the doctor and get your results and he will let you know how your scar is healing.

As I said, it will not always look that way and the soreness does get better rather quickly. She will be given narcotics for the pain. It may ooze a little for a couple of days. Your doctor will send you home with a list of things to be aware of and how to dress the area and how to keep it clean.

Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Answer 8

I had this same surgery in feb 06 (at 34). My scar is about 2 inches and a very straight thin line right at the base of my neck. It's faded quite a bit, but is still noticeable. Honestly it doesn't bother me (I'd rather have that than cancer). And I've never noticed anyone looking at it.

Answer 9

it will be about 3inches long. i had my thyroid removed and several lymph glands removed 9 years ago due to thyroid cancer and it is a large scar that comes from just below my right ear to my left collar bone, but now the operation is a lot neater and has very small incision. i have had 4 operation in total on my neck and now 9 years on my scars are not very noticeable. i wish your wife all the best and she is lucky to have you worrying about her. good luck for the future.

Answer 10

Only the doctor would know the answer to that. Don't be too concerned about how large the scar will be. You should be concerned about your wife's condition. Be thankful that with this procedure you will have her many more years to come.