Question 1

is there a time limit at how long you should wait to get a biopsy of thyroid gland. pet scan showed very high positive but biopsy is needed to confirm. been on going for 3 yrs now. been growing rapidly over 6 months. how do i get my dr to help me?

Accepted Answer

: You probably mean biopsy of a thyroid NODULE which has gotten bigger in the last 6 months with suspicious PET scan result, I assume. I am surprised that you have not been referred for the biopsy. In general, if malignant disease is suspected, biopsy should be done as soon as possible. You can request a second opinion or a referral to an ENT doctor.

Question 2

multinodular goiter dx. us biopsy of thyroid- benign. what's the treatment for goiter? history of cancer- can't i just get it removed prophylacticly?

Accepted Answer

Why?: Unless it represents a danger like cancer, or is a severe physical or cosmetic problem, why remove an organ "prophylactically"/ if that were true, why not also "prophylactically" remove your nose, breasts, external ears, toes, one kidney......And all the other parts of your body you don't really need that could potentially cause trouble in the future?

Question 3

if i have biopsy of thyroid with cancer, what are my chances of survival?

Accepted Answer

Generally great: The worst kind of thyroid cancer is anaplastic-- the survival is short, usually months.  For all other kinds, as long as the thyroid cancer hasn't spread to other organs, the survival is very favorable.  Most patients end up dying *with* thyroid cancer, and not *from* thyroid cancer.

Question 4

does a needle biopsy of thyroid hurt ? does it take long?

Accepted Answer

Minimal discomfort: A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid is done with a fine gauge needle (usually 22 to 25 gauge).  For comparison, when blood is drawn one usually uses an 18 gauge needle (lower gauge means larger needle).  Usually local anesthesia is used so there should be very little discomfort.  The actual biopsy only takes a few seconds for each needle pass (typically 4 passes are done).

Question 5

whats more important having brest removed for precaution or having biopsy of thyroid nodule. pet scan showed high probability for positive. nodule growled 7mm-11mm in 5 months. auxiliary has spots that glowed as well. which should i do first?

Accepted Answer

: You need a good oncologist who can guide you further.
In general, Thyroid nodules are less serious than Breast Cancer.
You will likely need a biopsy of both areas, starting with a check of the axillary nodule that is showing up in the PET scan. You do not need removal of your breast, a Needle biopsy of the beast abnormality can be done quite easily if you first  go to a Cancer treatment Center

Question 6

is it good to get a second opinion on your results of your thyroid biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A second opinion is generally very helpful.

Question 7

can taking a prescription anti-inflammatory medicine (mobic) interfere with thyroid biopsy (fna) results? or a daily allergy pill (claritin)?

Accepted Answer

No: If there are doubts about the biopsy, and it's clear that the lesion was sampled by the operator, then get two more pathologists to look at the slide.

Question 8

can a thyroid biopsy's produce false results?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid biopsy: Hard to answer.  No test is perfect. With an ultrasound-guided needle bx, the pathologist looks at the sample of cells that he gets. He may not get a good sample. In some kinds of thyroid cancer, it is hard to distinguish normal from abnormal cells.  Sometimes decisions need to be made in spite of "test results", i.e. A judgement call.  Talk to your endocrinologist.

Question 9

how long does it take to know results of your thyroid biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Can vary: It depends upon where it is sent & how much testing is done.   In-town pathologists will usually give an report in 1-3 working days; out-of-town pathologists in 2-5 working days.  If genetic analysis is being done as well, this can take 1-2 weeks.

Question 10

i had a fna on thyroid, 1 nodule came back normal but the other 1 is lying too deeply & next to an artery, so could not get biopsy. what will happen ?

Accepted Answer

Watch both: do  not remove or try to biopsy second nodule but repeat CAT scans to assure 2nd lesion not growing.  Most of the cases of 2 nodules result in appearance of a 3rd or 4th nodule as part of multi nodular goiter.  If dramatic increase in size such a 2x in the next 4-6 months would consider open bx or excision and then treat accordingly.

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Doctor answers about:

How long to get results from fna biopsy of thyroid

A member asked:

Is there a time limit at how long you should wait to get a biopsy of thyroid gland. pet scan showed very high positive but biopsy is needed to confirm. been on going for 3 yrs now. been growing rapidly over 6 months. how do i get my dr to help me?

A member asked:

Multinodular goiter dx. us biopsy of thyroid- benign. what's the treatment for goiter? history of cancer- can't i just get it removed prophylacticly?

A member asked:

If i have biopsy of thyroid with cancer, what are my chances of survival?

A member asked:

Does a needle biopsy of thyroid hurt ? does it take long?

A member asked:

Whats more important having brest removed for precaution or having biopsy of thyroid nodule. pet scan showed high probability for positive. nodule growled 7mm-11mm in 5 months. auxiliary has spots that glowed as well. which should i do first?

A member asked:

Is it good to get a second opinion on your results of your thyroid biopsy?

A member asked:

Can taking a prescription anti-inflammatory medicine (mobic) interfere with thyroid biopsy (fna) results? or a daily allergy pill (claritin)?

A member asked:

Can a thyroid biopsy's produce false results?

A member asked:

How long does it take to know results of your thyroid biopsy?

A member asked:

I had a fna on thyroid, 1 nodule came back normal but the other 1 is lying too deeply & next to an artery, so could not get biopsy. what will happen ?

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