Question 1

can you have signs of thyroid cancer on ultrasound?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Microcalcifications, unusual shape, increased blood flow, associated abnormal lymph nodes, and growth beyond the thyroid capsule are all signs of a thyroid malignancy.

Question 2

how fast does medullary thyroid cancer grow? if there were no nodules on ultrasound five years ago, would it grow fast enough to cause symptoms now?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, a normal thyroid ultrasound five years ago can't rule out the presence of medullary thyroid cancer at the present time.

Question 3

submandibular lymph on ultrasound 2.2 x 1.0 x .8 cm.  is it concerning for malignancy (history of thyroid cancer) or w/ location is probably reactive?

Accepted Answer

Nodal view: It is very difficult to comment on what the node is.  You don't mention it's size or if it is tender.  If tender it could be from qn irritation of the salivary gland, the salivary duct , an infection on the floor of your mouth or more.  If the enlargement has no tenderness there are a number of other possible benign causes, but to give you emotional comfort have the area examinied by an ENT

Question 4

will medullary thyroid cancer always show in a thyroid ultrasound ? if not how do they find it?

Accepted Answer

Thyroid cancer: Hello. Unfortunately cancer of the thyroid will not show up on an ultrasound. A nodule or a growth in the thyroid can be seen and identified. A tissue or needle biopsy is needed to examine the cells for cancer. An excisional biopsy if needed will provide the pathologist the entire gland which then will be examined and a diagnosis rendered.

Question 5

thyroid cancer on left - new ultrasound showed 9x3mm zone v & 10x3mm zone ii  both right side.  no obvious lymph nodes on left.  adenopathy right side?

Accepted Answer

See your Physician : Lab results, xrays, scans and all medical work ups are best interpreted by the treating or consulting physician within the context of the problem and in the patient he/she is treating. Your best chances are to discuss it with your physician , he/she knows your situation best.

Question 6

ultrasound shows 7 nodules; blood work is normal.   history of thyroid cancer in family.  dr. says wait a year and recheck. good advice?  get 2nd opinion?

Accepted Answer

Depends on size: Some palpable lesions may not correspond to distinct radiologic abnormalities. Nonpalpable nodules detected on us or other anatomic imaging studies are termed incidentally discovered nodules or “incidentalomas.” nonpalpable nodules have the same risk of malignancy as palpable nodules with the same size  generally, when size greater than 1 cm. Should have biopsy to r/o cancer.

Question 7

i recently had a ultrasound scan of my neck, due to having thyroid cancer 9 years ago. the report came back saying no recurrence of thyroid cancer but said there were a couple of hyperplastic lymph nodes. what are these?

Accepted Answer

: All imaging results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck could be due infection in the head and neck area, including gingivitis.    
Wish you good health!

Question 8

i had thyroid cancer 2 years ago. just had ultrasound which showed 7mm node. is it possible if it is cancer a cancer other than thyroid ? like throat?

Accepted Answer

See your doc: Most likely a benign inflmmatory node or recurrent thyroid cancer (definitely curable!)  throat cancer possible but much less likely.  Talk it over with your doc.

Question 9

can anaplastic thyroid cancer be found on ultrasound?  is the nodule or appaerance solid, cystic or both.  would the radiologist be able to tell?

Accepted Answer

Final diagnosis: Sonography can give clues but the ultimate diagnosis of cancer of the thyroid depends on the results of a biopsy.

Question 10

thyroid found to be slightly heterogeneous on ultrasound. isoechoic nodule measuring 7mm mid left lobe.  fam history of thyroid cancer. concerning?

Accepted Answer

Not concerning.: Isoechoic thyroid nodules are generally not concerning especially when they are less than 1.5 cm and if they don't have suspicious features like microcalcifications and increased internal vascularity. I recommend repeat thyroid US in 1 year. Make sure you have got your TSH and Free T4 checked.

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Doctor answers about:

What does thyroid cancer look like on ultrasound

A member asked:

Can you have signs of thyroid cancer on ultrasound?

A member asked:

How fast does medullary thyroid cancer grow? if there were no nodules on ultrasound five years ago, would it grow fast enough to cause symptoms now?

A member asked:

Submandibular lymph on ultrasound 2.2 x 1.0 x .8 cm. is it concerning for malignancy (history of thyroid cancer) or w/ location is probably reactive?

A member asked:

Will medullary thyroid cancer always show in a thyroid ultrasound ? if not how do they find it?

A member asked:

Thyroid cancer on left - new ultrasound showed 9x3mm zone v & 10x3mm zone ii both right side. no obvious lymph nodes on left. adenopathy right side?

A member asked:

Ultrasound shows 7 nodules; blood work is normal. history of thyroid cancer in family. dr. says wait a year and recheck. good advice? get 2nd opinion?

A member asked:

I recently had a ultrasound scan of my neck, due to having thyroid cancer 9 years ago. the report came back saying no recurrence of thyroid cancer but said there were a couple of hyperplastic lymph nodes. what are these?

A member asked:

I had thyroid cancer 2 years ago. just had ultrasound which showed 7mm node. is it possible if it is cancer a cancer other than thyroid ? like throat?

A member asked:

Can anaplastic thyroid cancer be found on ultrasound? is the nodule or appaerance solid, cystic or both. would the radiologist be able to tell?

A member asked:

Thyroid found to be slightly heterogeneous on ultrasound. isoechoic nodule measuring 7mm mid left lobe. fam history of thyroid cancer. concerning?

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