thyroid bipsoy

[Ms.RN]

my sister in law had a biopsy of thyroid nodule and found out it was a benign. but isnt there a chance that it might become a cancer later on? if someone have a benign mole of skin the doctors usually surgically remove it dont they? so why cant doctors remove the benign thyroid nodule just in case it will become a cancer?

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

my sister in law had a biopsy of thyroid nodule and found out it was a benign. but isnt there a chance that it might become a cancer later on? if someone have a benign mole of skin the doctors usually surgically remove it dont they? so why cant doctors remove the benign thyroid nodule just in case it will become a cancer?

that's something that only her doctor can talk to her about, and give guidelines for follow up.

why remove a nodule and risk the loss of the thyroid and parathyroid if there is no cancer? the surgery is not minor, plus there is a risk for vocal chord damage as well. but again, that is something that her doctor would discuss with her. she can always get a second opinion.

blee

[Abishag]

I am not a nursing student yet (in May I begin) but I might be able to assist. I had a thyroid nodule found when I was 3. My mother chose to have it removed when I was 4yrs old for cosmetic reasons (it grows and can look like an adam's apple). It can be common but the risks from the surgey can be that if they remove the nodule and accidentally remove part of the thyroid it can cause hypothyroidism and/or they may not remove it all plus all the risks associated with surgery.

I think my mother chose to do it because she was worried it would effect my self esteem as I grew older and it was more noticeable. My mothers friend had one and always had to wear neck scarves and high collared shirts that she buttoned up past it because she didn't have insurance and it was considered cosmetic to remove.

I have a very basic understanding of this and the procedure since I was too young to understand when it was happening to me. But this is what I had been told by my mother and what I had researched about it online. Sorry its not a professional opinion/experience.

[TiredMD]

my sister in law had a biopsy of thyroid nodule and found out it was a benign. but isnt there a chance that it might become a cancer later on? if someone have a benign mole of skin the doctors usually surgically remove it dont they? so why cant doctors remove the benign thyroid nodule just in case it will become a cancer?

never had any of my moles removed . . .

the worry is not usually malignant transformation. the worry is usually that the fine-needle aspiration did not adequately sample the lesion, and that it is cancer but was missed.

however, the decision of whether or not to remove the nodule and some or all of the thyroid is an individualized decision, usually made with a surgeon, and is dependent on the histology of the biopsy and the patient's individual symptoms, demographics, family history, comorbid conditions, and circumstances.

nothing (including the internet) can ever substitute for a discussion with the physician/surgeon caring for you.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

And, with TiredMD's great explanation, we will close this thread.

Only your sister-in-law's physician can adequately advise why this decision was made in this particular instance.

We wish her well.