Need advice on full Thyroidectomy on potential cancerous nodules
My partner, F33, had an ultrasound 3 months ago which showed several nodules on both left and right lobes.
On the right lobe, theres a small nodule measuring 0.5cm x 0.3cm described as “anechoic with internal isoechoic material inside” (mostly fluid filled with some solid material), internal blood flow, classed as TI-RADS TR2 (not suspicious). Also there are a few other tiny cysts which are usually bening.
On the left lobe, there are 4 nodules containing fluid with some internal material.
- 1.2 x 0.7cm
- 0.4 x 0.2cm
- 0.4 x 0.2cm
- And the largest is 1.3cm x 0.6cm
The largest nodule is the most concerning, it appears solid with an irregular shape and tiny cystic spaces and classed as a TI-RADS TR4 (moderately suspicious) with internal vascularity. There were also multiple benign-looking lymph nodes in the neck, but none suspicious.
A FNA cytology biopsy was recommended on the suspicious nodules, which was painful.
Nodule 1 came back Betheda II (bening) and Nodule 2 came back Bethesda III (Atypia of Undetermined Significance with nuclear atypia - AUSN). In the report it suggested repeat FNA or molecular testing may be helpful if clinically indicated.
Since then my partner has been terrified that theres cancer there. We’ve been to 2 specialists to explain the results. First one was reasonable in my eyes, explaining what the results mean, what were the significance of Bethesda II and III, the chances of cancer. The options he gave us was total Thyroidectomy, take out just the left lobe or do more testing in 3 months time to see if the nodules have changed in any way. We decide to wait and test.
The second ultrasound was over the weekend, but because she has been so scared these few months that it’s constantly on her mind, so she decided to see another specialist before then. This guy looked at the same results and recommended getting a full Thyroidectomy of BOTH lobes and wants to do it as soon as possible.
That blew my mind that he could be so decisive about it. We got the second ultrasound which showed no change in size in both nodules and I spoke to him about it, he still had the same opinion - get rid of all of it. That has left me flabbergasted, iv done some reading and I see loads of problems people have when removing ALL of their Thyroids. Of course some people have had it removed and haven’t had an issue taking medication for the rest of their lives but the majority of what Iv read is the opposite. My own personal opinion is that we should do more testing, maybe molecular testing that we haven’t done yet and then if possible save the right lobe.
The thing is that its been playing on my partner’s mind and I understand. She wants to take the second doctors opinion and just get rid of it if its a problem. She doesn’t want it hanging over her. I can understand her but I dont think its the right course of action, why not save one lobe if you can? I dont think she’s thinking about the possible long term potential consequences.
Id really love some advice from people who have gone through this and seen the consequences firsthand. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.