What Does "microcalcifications In A 1.3cm Thyroid Nodule" Mean?

Posted on Wed, 23 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Please define microcalcifications in a 1.3cm thyroid nodule. Is this indicative of thyroid cancer? I recently had a FNA biopsy of this particular nodule which is located on the right side of thyroid. I am waiting for the results but am a little anxious. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer: unfortunately there is increased risk of cancer Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is understandable to be concerned. Microcalcifications are small areas or specks of deposits of calcium.The presence of microcalicifications does increase the risk of cancer but it is important to remember this is not absolute. The risk is increased but not all persons with microcalcifications have cancer. There are other factors on imaging that increase the chance of malignancy such as a size greater than 2 cm or if it is completely solid. Your mass is less than 2 cm.The information above does not indicate if it is solid or cystic (a sac of fluid). There are certain factors that increase the chance of a person developing thyroid cancer: (1)exposure to radiation as a child (2)difficulty swallowing (3)family history of thyroid cancer (4)rapid growth of the thyroid nodule (5)hoarseness (6)paralysis of the vocal cord Summary: the presence of microcalcifications does increase the risk of cancer unfortunately but some persons with this finding do not have cancer

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