About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Question Just over a month ago (I am in my mid 40's), I noticed a lump on the right side of my neck. I immediately had it checked out and was told it was a fluid filled thyroid cyst. It was drained (about 15cc) and was told to follow up in 90 days. Less than a month later I was back having 12cc more drained out. It is starting to fill up again.
All this has happened since the 1st of April. I am told that if it needs to be drained a 3rd time, we should probably schedule a surgery to remove it. Both of my labs came back "inconclusive". The doctor also mentioned a possible ethenol injection instead of surgery, but then quickly dismissed that.
Do you know what this procedure is about? What types of things should I be asking? How do I decide what I should do?
Answer Dear Deanna, I agree with your doctor that this is NOT the time to use ethenol injections.... The fact that all of this fluid that was drained off consist of lab reports that inconclusive, I would have the surgery and have the tissue of the thyroid and the entire cysts properly biopsied to make sure there is no cancer.....
I had my right thyroid gland and the complex cysts along with it because I knew that FNA or in your case fluid biopsy from draining is NOT 100% accurate.... Surgery procedure is simple and normally without any complications as long as you have a GOOD surgeon....
NEXT you need to educate yourself about possible thyroid cancers and also the ethanol injection procedure and why or when it should not be used.... Do this by researching the internet (yahoo)....
