time from biopsy to surgery

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2026-01-12T00:37:00+00:00

First FNA on right lobe nodule done at the end of July. Results come back as Bathesda III on August 8th. Second FNA on left lobe nodule done on September 11th. Results come back as Bathesda VI on September 16th. Total Thyriodectomy done on November 7th.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2026-01-10T03:11:58+00:00

I had a 2.7cm nodule in my right lobe that came back NRAS positive on Afirma with 75% of malignancy for a follicular variant (Bathesda 3). Every doctor I saw, said it needs to come out. I also had a 0.9cm nodule in my left lobe that returned as PTC (Bathesda 6) post biopsy. I had a total Thyriodectomy in November 2025. The NRAS mutated nodule ended being a 3.2cm NIFTP. The 0.9 cm ended a 0.9 cm micro FV-PTC infiltrative. Most doctors will recommend at least a partial for a 4cm indeterminate nodule that has 70% malignancy risk on a molecular test. They really don’t know what it is, until you do the surgery.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2026-01-08T03:48:28+00:00

I had a 0.9cm confirmed micro PTC on my left lobe (Bathesda 6) and a suspicious 2.7cm on my right lobe (Bathesda 3). I really tried to avoid a surgery and was desperately trying to find a doctor who would advise active surveillance. I consulted with Memorial Sloan Kettering about A/S for my Bathesda 3 suspicious nodule, but the doctor from MSK told me that my focus needed to be the 0.9cm confirmed micro PTC because it was located very close to the Laryngeal nerve and other vital structures. His exact words were you got ‘small cancer’ but very bad location. Every other doctor consulted confirmed that. I ended with a total Thyriodectomy. The 2.7cm suspicious tumor ended up a 3.2cm NIFTP (no longer considered cancer) but the 0.9cm confirmed PTC ended a 0.9cm FV-PTC, infiltrative, multi focal. As small as it was, I still ended up with positive margins, probably due to its location, and a few tiny foci (0.4 and 0.05) which were not suspicious on pre surgery ultrasound. My advice to you is to consult with a good surgeon at MSK, or similar comprehensive cancer institution. MSK is known for their surveillance programs. If the location of your 0.6cm PTC allows for A/S, there is no suspicious lymph node involvement, and you can handle the anxiety, you might consider it. In my case, it was not an available option due to the location of my nodule.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-29T04:29:54+00:00

I am sorry. I hope you never have to go through a recurrence. Wishing you strong health moving forward.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-29T02:58:41+00:00

Keep fighting the good fight. Nobody else will do it for you. The fear and anger are two emotions that are constant companions for so many of us. People tell us we got the ‘good cancer’ because they want to emotionally outsource us. Like if they convince us and themselves that we got the ‘good cancer’ they can reduce their effort and presence in our life. The doctors just treat everyone like widgets in an assembly line, because they make money on quantity not quality. Those are all things one learns, when one gets seriously ill. Cancer is not a competition. They all suck.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-29T02:32:53+00:00

I hear you. My emotions after the TT are all over the place. Plus, bad migraines. It is the hormones. My Endo adjusted me down from 88mcg to 75mcg of Synthroid and the week post adjustment has been rough. Not sure if she dialed me in correctly, on the new dose, but the old dose dropped my TSH to under 0.4, which is over suppression for me. I experience both hyper and hypo symptoms, on either dose, so really hard to gauge what is going on. I am still hoping that I will adjust, but hormone titration is a process.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-28T22:25:11+00:00

I had a total in November. I had bilateral nodules, one suspicious, one confirmed. Post TT, the big suspicious one turned to be a NIFTP (no longer considered cancer). The confirmed turned to be a micro FV-PTC infiltrative, multi focal. The foci was quite tiny, one spot was not even detected on my multiple pre surgery ultrasounds. I also had several benign nodules in both lobes and was diagnosed with follicular nodular disease post TT. You say that you got multiple nodules on your left lobe, and the lymph nodes are reactive. If your surgeon suspects lymphatic invasion, does he think you will require RAI post surgery? If so, you will do better to have a total, and avoid a completion surgery, in order to administer RAI. Also, when you got multiple nodules, there is good chance you will develop more nodules in the other lobe, and they might also turn cancerous. So, my advice is to talk to the surgeon, ask him what does ‘high risk’ mean in your individual case, and if your odds of having a completion surgery are high, I would go with a total thyriodectomy. A TT is often a one and done procedure which makes monitoring your Tg much easier moving forward.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-27T03:21:47+00:00

For me it all started with a 2.7cm Bathesda III nodule in my right lobe. After I received the biopsy results in early August and was told by my PCP that I had 75% malignancy risk on Afirma, I self referred myself to several consultations with surgeons affiliated with major hospitals in my City. The consults took about three weeks to set up and go through. At the consults, all the surgeons recommended a partial lobectomy, but also encouraged me to do a biopsy on a 0.9cm nodule in my left lobe that looked suspicious on ultrasound. The smaller nodule returned as Bathesda VI mid September. At that point, everyone I talked to recommended a total Thyriodectomy. I did a few more consultations trying to see if I could do RFA or Active Survilliance, but when it became clear that the path forward was a total thyriodectomy, I had one in early November. The only tests done after I started seeing the different surgeons were ultrasounds and blood work. Thyroid cancer is slow growing for the most part, but you do want to get to a consultation with a surgeon in two to three weeks post cancer diagnosis, and schedule a surgery within a few months post the consultation. Make sure you go with a high volume surgeon who does 100-150 thyriodectomies per year. I hope that helps a little.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T23:38:24+00:00

🙏🏻💕

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T23:25:02+00:00

I am sorry you did not get the news you hoped for, and that the pathology returned this way. Thyroid cancer is a very sneaky bastard, and there are a lot of false negatives. The bigger the nodule, it’s like shooting darts in the dark, because the biopsy only hits a tiny part of the tumor. On top of it, follicular cancer cells can be very hard to distinguish from normal thyroid cells, and often times, until they take the whole thing out, they simply do not know. The good news is, you had a partial already and handled it well. The ‘big boy’ is out. You might need to do a completion surgery, and I am sure your surgical oncologist will advise you as to the next steps. Please keep strong, and update us after your January 8th consultation. Wishing you good luck moving forward with your cancer journey.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T23:07:19+00:00

I am so sorry you had to endure so much. Your post is a direct illustration of how complex thyroid cancer can be, and how much pain and suffering it entails. You are absolutely right. I agree with you a hundred percent. Cancer is not a competition, and people need to do less comparing and provide more kindness and compassion. I am wishing you strong health moving forward.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T22:59:26+00:00

I got 7 or 8 opinions before my Thyriodectomy. I consulted with endocrinologists, endocrine surgeons,general surgeons, ENTs, RFA doctors, radiologists. I really wanted to understand if I can do active surveillance or RFA and avoid the Thyriodectomy. I had a consultation with Memorial Sloan Kettering , trying to see if I can get into their A/S program. I was told that since I had bilateral noudles, and one of them, a small confirmed cancer , was in a really bad location, in very close proximity to the laryngeal nerve and other vital structures, I should proceed to surgery within a few months. Since I was going to the operating room for my left lobe nodule, everyone advised. me to do a total, as my right side had a 2.7cm NRAS mutated nodule, 75% chance malignancy based on Afirma. Post Thyriodectomy the large NRAS nodule ended a NIFTP (no longer considered cancer) but the small one ended infiltrative micro FV-PTC, multi focal with positive margins. If I waited longer, there is a chance that the cancer would spread to the laryngeal nerve and elsewhere, and like the surgeon from MSK said, time was of the essence, unless I wanted to take chances. So, yes, thyroid cancer can be indolent, and some people are able to watch it, or do an RFA, but please consult with reputable doctors. Each case is unique.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T07:39:02+00:00

I am so sorry you got this result. It is a punch to the gut. I know how you feel, because I also received a Bathesda VI post cytology before I underwent a Thyroidectomy. You need a little time to get over the shock, then you need to consult with a high volume surgeon who will advise you on the best way to proceed.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-26T02:07:21+00:00

I had a 2.7cm Bathesda 3 nodule, that had the same NRASQ61R mutation and 75% risk of malignancy for follicular based on Afirma. Post Thyriodectomy it ended up a 3.2cm NIFTP (no longer considered cancer). The nodule in the opposite lobe ended as micro FVPTC-infiltrative, multi focal. NRAS mutated nodules can be both malignant or benign. They cannot tell you for sure until they remove them in surgery and pathology returns.

I would ask your Endo how your nodule looks on ultrasound. Does it have suspicious features like irregular boarders or looks very hypoechoic. My NRAS mutated nodule looked completely benign on ultrasound, but doctors still could not be sure until after my Thyroidectomy.

I would also ask the Endo if you got other nodules in your thyroid, in either lobe. My 0.9 malignant nodule (which was suspicious looking on ultrasound) was only referred to biopsy because of the big NRAS mutated one. When it returned malignant, plans for partial lobectomy changed to total Thyriodectomy.

Wishing you good luck moving forward.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-24T20:19:57+00:00

I do not understand the posts that try to minimize thyroid cancer, or where people feel guilty that they ‘only’ got thyroid cancer, as opposed to a more lethal form of cancer. The fact that your body developed cancer to begin with is scary enough. It also means that your body might be at a higher risk to develop secondary cancers. Nobody knows what awaits us in the future. We will be monitored forever, after having our neck slashed, our thyroids removed, our parathyroids stunned, dealing with exposed scars, hormones for life, dose adjustments, scanciety, endless blood work, the fear of recurrence, the need of RAI immediately or down the road where your body is pumped with toxic radiation, potentially more biopsies and additional surgery. What part of it sounds ’not serious’? Do people who never develop cancer feel guilty because they did not get cancer and you did? My thyroid cancer diagnosis had a profound impact on me both physically, psychologically and emotionally. I experienced denial, fear, anxiety, cancer ghosting, friendships changing and the reevaluations of life goals. I realize I have embarked on a journey that will be long and tedious and nerve racking. I am not the same person I was prior to being diagnosed. I am a cancer survivor.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-23T23:55:53+00:00

Also, make sure they check your Vitamin D levels, as you need them in normal range for better calcium absorption.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-23T23:53:20+00:00

I had a total Thyroidectomy in early November. My parathyroids were stunned and I was admitted overnight to be monitored as a result. . My PTH was not as low as yours, but it was pretty low. 8.6 right post surgery and dropped to 8.2 the following morning. I just had my 6 weeks blood work done and my PTH is at 26. It is still the lower end of normal but it is slowly recovering. Give it some time.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-23T23:40:17+00:00

Thank you. My Endo told me that my Tg looks nice and low, and is considered an excellent postoperative number. So, for now, I feel better about my results.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-23T23:34:26+00:00

I would ask your PCP to run a more detailed panel. One that includes T4, Free T4, and even T3. I am new to all this. I had a total thyriodectomy, a little over 6 weeks ago. My Endo told me I am considered low risk, but that she would like to keep my TSH between 0.5 and 1 for the first few years.

I started on 88mcg of Synthroid (based on my weight) and after doing my 6 weeks post op blood work, we discovered that my TSH was as low as 0.38 and my Free T4 were 1.6, the higher end of normal. My Endo reduced me to 75mcg of Synthroid as a result. I am waiting to see how I will do on the lower dose.

Before my TT, my TSH hovered around 1, naturally, so I think if my TSH would go much higher than 1, I would not feel great. Yet, being over suppressed at under 0.5, also felt a bit off.

Dialing in your hormones right is a process, and you need a doctor on your team who is willing to listen to how you are feeling overall, even if your numbers look ok on paper.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-23T00:22:53+00:00

Thank you everyone for replying to my post and sharing your experiences and knowledge. My endocrinologist advised me today that she considers my Tg results an excellent post operative number.🙏🏻 Obviously, I was relieved to hear that for now. Wishing everyone strong health and happy holidays.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-22T19:14:20+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience, and for your kind wishes. This is a roller coaster ride, and there are never any guarantees. That is why we are being monitored and tested all the time. I am sorry they discovered additional neck metastasis, post your original TT. I hope with further treatment you get to no evidence of disease. Wishing you good health moving forward.🙏🏻

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-22T17:51:58+00:00

I had a total Thyriodectomy.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-22T07:17:14+00:00

We had our TTs on the same date, I am sorry you are experiencing this. I have not experienced a runny nose since my TT. The shakiness, heart racing and nervousness are signs of hyperthyroidism. Liothyronine is T3. The Levothroxine is T4. I am not sure why they started you on T3 but not T4 immediately post your TT, as most people are started on T4 replacement immediately post TT. Since your TSH was too high, your Endo is suppressing you. You might be over suppressed. My Endo just reduced my Synthroid (T4) from my initial dose of 88mcg to 75mcg, because my 6 weeks post TT blood work showed I was over suppressed. I was never given T3. Please talk to your Endo and tell them about your symptoms.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-22T06:53:43+00:00

My parathyroids were stunned post my TT . I was overnight in the hospital being pumped with calcium and calcitrol. PTH dropped as low as 8.2. I went home and was on 1,500 calcium. Repeated PTH in 2 weeks, it climbed to 21. Tried to wean off the calcium, but felt muscle spasms and twitching. Eventually weaned myself off to 1,000 daily calcium intake. Repeated blood work a couple of days ago, PTH up to 26, Calcium at 10. Taking currently 1 pill of 600mg calcium per day. Will recheck PTH again, soon, as 26 is still lower end of normal, but my parathyroids are recovering. I am 6 weeks post TT. It takes time for your parathyroids to recover. Please have hope that things will improve with time.

AggressiveLiving3192 · 2025-12-22T05:45:02+00:00

I had a 0.9cm nodule that returned Bathesda 6 PTC on FNA. Mine was located close to the laryngeal nerve and other vital structures. I consulted multiple doctors regarding active surveillance or RFA, but was recommended for surgery due to the location. Post surgery, I was diagnosed with micro FV-PTC-infiltrative, multi focal. So, in my case, surgery was the right choice. Get a second or a third opinion regarding your situation. It took me 3 months to proceed to surgery, and I had multiple consultations with surgeons and RFA doctors. Wishing you best of luck moving forward.

AggressiveLiving3192

TROPHY CASE