What Does This Ultrasound Report Of Thyroid Report Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 16 Feb 2015

Question: My thyroid ultrasound came back with a mixed echogenicity nodule measuring 14 x 8 10 mm overall appearting hypoechoic appearing to contain some thin septations and possible punctate echogenic foci which could reflect microcalcifications. Any ideas on what this means? What are the chances of it being cancer?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is risk of cancer due to presence of microcalcifications

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in details.
There is a nodule in your thyroid gland on ultrasound scan. It is also seen that there are possible microcalcifications which has been observed during ultrasound scan. Microcalcifications are small less than 2 mm sized calcifications.

As per medical literature these microcalcifications are strongly related to cancer of the thyroid gland. Following observations were made on a study of thyroid calcifications and cancer probability.
(i) Microcalcifications were found in 33.7% of cancerous nodules and 6.4% of benign nodules;
(ii) 95% of the cancers associated with microcalcifications were papillary cancers.

From the above we find that there is a considerable chance that your thyroid nodule can be cancer especially due to the presence of microcalcifications on ultrasound scan. The size is very small and complete treatment is possible. Should it be confirmed to be a cancer. You require to take pathological tests like FNAC where few cells will be taken out and seen under microscope to study characteristics and confirm cancer.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (4 minutes later)

Thank you very much. My sister had papillary thyroid cancer at 39, so I assume that puts me at a higher risk as well.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Higher risk is present if your sister had papillary thyroid cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

Your sister having papillary cancer thyroid puts you at a higher risk and therefore it is important to do required tests at the earliest and get treated. The survival of thyroid cancer in early stages (including cancer nodules of your size) is 100 percent.

Wishing you good health.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar