I did alot of reading on this so I was confident it would not hurt at all....well the "numbing" needle burned but that was no big deal. The 1st needle pinched...but I dealt with the discomfort...the 2nd needle got contaminated so he had to get a 3rd...5 minutes go by and I did ask if whatever he used to numb the pain wore off and he said no.....well it did..omg I saw stars! You cannot talk or move so I had to be still and NOT cry....WOW....and to top it off..I also read that afterwards it may be "tender" for up to 48 hours....It has been over 10 days and I cannot swallow without it hurting, turn my head without feeling it and it hurts when you touch it. This bulge never hurt prior to the biopsy. It came back undiagnostic so now I have to go again! I think it all has to do with who performs it. This time I asked who is scheduled to do mine and I looked him up! Good Luck.
To acquire a sampling of the cells in a thyroid nodule, an endocrinologist or a radiologist will need to perform a fine needle biopsy. The cells extracted will then be evaluated by a pathologist to determine if the growth is benign or malignant, and if surgery is needed. As for a fine needle biopsy will cause thyroid cancer to metastasize, talk to your doctor.Related Article: How to Prepare for a Needle Biopsy
A 9 mm nodule on the thyroid is not necessarily dangerous, as many thyroid nodules are benign. However, the risk of malignancy increases with size and certain characteristics of the nodule. It's important to undergo further evaluation, such as a fine needle aspiration biopsy or ultrasound, to determine the nature of the nodule and whether any treatment is necessary. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
A complex solid nodule in the thyroid is a type of thyroid nodule that contains both solid and cystic (fluid-filled) components. These nodules can vary in size and may be benign or malignant. Evaluation typically involves ultrasound imaging and, if necessary, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to determine their nature and guide treatment options. Regular monitoring may be recommended, especially if the nodule exhibits suspicious features.
It could be a malignant thyroid nodule. It needs further investigation, likely with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
This is done by extracting cells from the thyroid using a very fine needle. It is usually done under local anaesthetic and then the cells are sent to a cytopathologist to be analysed.
typical size needle used for fine needle aspiration
A procedure called fine-needle aspiration allows the clinician to extract cells directly from the lump for further evaluation.
Philip S. Feldman has written: 'Fine needle aspiration cytology' -- subject(s): Diagnosis, Lymph nodes, Lymphatic Diseases, Needle biopsy, Salivary Gland Neoplasms, Salivary glands, Thyroid Neoplasms, Thyroid gland 'Fine needle aspiration cytology and its clinical applications' -- subject(s): Breast, Breast Diseases, Cytodiagnosis, Diseases, Lung Diseases, Lungs, Needle biopsy, Pathology
After performing a thyroid scan uptake, if it is determined that there is a hot nodule it typically means that the nodule is hyperfuncitioning. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists ThyroidAwareness.com website, "The scan tells whether the nodule is hyperfunctioning (a "hot" nodule), or taking up more radioactivity than normal thyroid tissue does; taking up the same amount as normal tissue (a "warm" nodule); or taking up less (a "cold" nodule). Because cancer is rarely found in hot nodules, a scan showing a hot nodule eliminates the need for fine needle biopsy. If a hot nodule causes hyperthyroidism, it can be treated with radioiodine or surgery."
Fine needle aspiration; with imaging guidance
If malignancy cannot be ruled out from the results of a thyroid scan, this means that a thyroid nodule may or may not be an active part of the thyroid tissue. Therefore, more testing might be needed to determine if there is a malignant growth. Another test that might help make a clearer diagnosis is a fine needle biopsy. If after a needle biopsy and thyroid scan, it is still unclear if a thyroid growth is malignant, surgery might be an option. Talk with your doctor regarding the results of your test and to find out what they suggest.
It can be done in a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital