Question 1

how does tissue grow back after a near total thyroidectomy to form what looks like a normal size thyroid gland?  the new tissue has a nodule, large.

Accepted Answer

Remnant: It is likely from the remnant of the thyroid tissue left behind. Sometimes it grows to meet the demand.   On the other hand, it may also be just scarred tissue.

Question 2

i had a total thyroidectomy and after 10yrs my thyroid antibioties came back elevated. my tg was unmeasurable. is this something i should be concerned?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Did you have thyroid cancer or just a goiter 10 years ago?   If no cancer, then there is nothing to worry about.  You probably had positive antibodies 10 years ago as well.  If you did have thyroid cancer 10 years ago and the antibodies were negative and now positive, then it's time for an evaluation.

Question 3

i still have high thyroid perox ab levels after a thyroidectomy(cancer). are high levels normal or could there be some thyroid tissue still? thx

Accepted Answer

Antibody is not: dependent on thyroid tissue. The body makes antibodies by different cells than the thyroid. The antibodies can persist  even if no thyroid tissue is left.

Question 4

my thyroid us report.  right thyroidectomy. hypoechoic nodule in isthmus.  .8 x .8 x 1.8 hypoechoic focus in right thyroid bed.  no normal tissue in r?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid ultrasound: By reporting "Right thyroidectomy" it is generally understood that the right thyroid lobe is surgically absent or has been removed.  The .8x.8x1.8 hypoechoic focus in the right thyroid bed would suggest that there is something in the soft tissues behind where the thyroid was removed that is showing up.  This could be a parathyroid gland, lymph node or something else.  Get back with your doctor.

Question 5

how can a thyroid nodule grow in a gland bed of post total thyroidectomy?

Accepted Answer

Residual Thyroid?: If you had a nuclear thyroid scan and uptake in the thyroid bed was detected then the implication would be recurrent neoplasm if the original diagnosis was thyroid cancer. Rarely, there can be small residual deposits of thyroid tissue from embryological development that can enlarge after thyroidectomy and produce nodules. Good luck.

Question 6

i just had ultrasound of my thyroid.  i was wanting explanation of the report.  i had a right thyroidectomy in 2004.  the report says left lobe is normal. there is no normal thyroid tissue seen on right side.  there is a tiny hypoechoic nodule in isthmus.

Accepted Answer

Easy: The thyroid has 3 parts.  Right lobe, Left lobe and the connection between them, the Isthmus.   Right side is gone, consistent with your surgery.  Left side has no abnormalities seen by the ultrasound.  The isthmus has a tiny nodule seen that is hypoechoic.  US uses sound echos.  Hypo means that it is less dense than surrounding tissue - likely fluid filled = cyst or black  spot on the image.

Question 7

dec 2006 total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma & neck dissection bc in nodes...now us shows tissue in thyroid bed...what is it ?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy to know.: Recurrence of the thyroid cancer in the "thyroid bed" can occur.  Given your disease seven years ago i would be suspicious of that.  You can confirm or rule out that with:  a biopsy, a metascan, follow-up thyroglobulin levels (if done regularly since) a pet/ct.  It could certainly be something else/benign but i would have it thoroughly evaluated before coming to that conclusion.

Question 8

had lump on thyroid biopsy came back ok. another lump came up within 3 weeks now had partial thyroidectomy. what's the chance new lump is cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not high: Off course the risk for someone to develop cancer will depend on different things like your personal history, your family history, history of radiation the neck area, environmental exposure etc. Majority of the thyroid nodule is benign. The risk for thyroid nodule to become cancerous is only about 5-10%. Discuss further with your doctor.

Question 9

is it possible recurrence of thyroid cancer if thyroglobulin came back positive but antibodies are decreasing? had full thyroidectomy 2 years ago.

Accepted Answer

Need an exam : Thyroglobulin is one of the markers used in follow up. A rise in the value would prompt you to see an Oncologist for a clinical exam, repeat the labs and if necessary order tests like a radio active scan depending on the type of thyroid cancer

Question 10

i've had total thyroidectomy & neck dissection & 2 rai treatments, ultrasound found tissue in thyroid bed, what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain: The only way to tell what the tissue in the thyroid bed is would be to do a needle biopsy. There could be scar tissue. There could be recurrent tumor. If the thyroid tumor picked up rai then a nuclear scan could show  if there is recurrent tumor corresponding to the ultrasound findings. Talk with your oncologist.

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Doctor answers about:

How can thyroid tissue grow back after a thyroidectomy

A member asked:

How does tissue grow back after a near total thyroidectomy to form what looks like a normal size thyroid gland? the new tissue has a nodule, large.

A member asked:

I had a total thyroidectomy and after 10yrs my thyroid antibioties came back elevated. my tg was unmeasurable. is this something i should be concerned?

A member asked:

I still have high thyroid perox ab levels after a thyroidectomy(cancer). are high levels normal or could there be some thyroid tissue still? thx

A member asked:

My thyroid us report. right thyroidectomy. hypoechoic nodule in isthmus. .8 x .8 x 1.8 hypoechoic focus in right thyroid bed. no normal tissue in r?

A member asked:

How can a thyroid nodule grow in a gland bed of post total thyroidectomy?

A member asked:

I just had ultrasound of my thyroid. i was wanting explanation of the report. i had a right thyroidectomy in 2004. the report says left lobe is normal. there is no normal thyroid tissue seen on right side. there is a tiny hypoechoic nodule in isthmus.

A member asked:

Dec 2006 total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma & neck dissection bc in nodes...now us shows tissue in thyroid bed...what is it ?

A member asked:

Had lump on thyroid biopsy came back ok. another lump came up within 3 weeks now had partial thyroidectomy. what's the chance new lump is cancer?

A member asked:

Is it possible recurrence of thyroid cancer if thyroglobulin came back positive but antibodies are decreasing? had full thyroidectomy 2 years ago.

A member asked:

I've had total thyroidectomy & neck dissection & 2 rai treatments, ultrasound found tissue in thyroid bed, what does this mean?

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