Expert: Karen Brawner - 10/23/2005

Question
I was diagnosed 2yrs. ago with a multinodular goiter.  I found a lump on my neck and went to the doctor soon after.  A series of tests were run...ultrasound, dye test etc. and the results came back as "suspicious".  She said  I had a multinodular goiter and that some were cold.  She ordered a biopsy and it came back benign. It has been growing even though I am on Synthroid.  I was referred to a specialist and he immediately suggested the removal of my left lobe after viewing my CAT scan.  My question boils down to this,  when my biopsy was done they only biopsied one nodule.  Do the results of the one nodule speak for all of the nodules, and can the nodules change from benign to malignant?

Answer
Dear Abby,   The biopsy of just one nodule makes for an inaccurate biopsy....  One nodule could be benign while others could be cancerous or suspecious....  I would go with what your specialist is telling you and get that entire thyroid gland removed for proper biopsy....  Fine Needle Aspiration is NOT 100% accurate, in fact, it is only about 83% accurate and a complete accurate biopsy can only be done on the ENTIRE gland (right or left)....  Therefore, what may appear to be benign may not be and what is suspecious and not biopsied could be cancer...

thank you,   karen