FNA Pathology Report Questions

POG
POG Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
FNA came back as atypical adenoma with bizarre nuclei in Hurthle cells and multinucleated giant cells. There were some colloid cells and some follicular cells. I am 55 with no symptoms and good health. Found 2.1 cm thyroid nodule incidentally on CT scan and then ENT found it on examination - ENT said it was "fixed and palpable". There was a sonogram that found it to be solid and single dominant nodule in multi nodular thyroid. ENT recommended surgery to distinguish follicular adenoma from follicular carncinoma or other carcinoma. I am going to a major cancer center in mid-October for 2nd opinion hoping to avoid surgery or at least get more information. Basically, ENT told me he needed surgery to see "what was happening inside the thyroid" and to biopsy sections. In the meantime, anyone have any information regarding the pathology report? Do the "bizarre" nucleus cells mean anything to anyone? I have no clue. My thyroid labs show thyroid function is within normal. I would think this is a good sign. All information welcome. Thanks. Patty

Comments

  • gailaj
    gailaj Member Posts: 36
    #2
    hope cancer center gives you peace of mind
    Hi Patty,
    Sorry, I don't have any new information....just wanted to offer moral support again and say I am glad that you are going to a cancer center in the middle of October...hopefully they will give you much more specific information, and peace of mind to face whatever comes next. All the best wishes being sent your way -- Gail
  • CVIC
    CVIC Member Posts: 5
    #3
    FNA Path Report Questions
    Patty,
    I just found out this past week that I have Thyroid cancer. Your diagnosis sounds a lot like mine after the FNA was done. I am to meet with a surgeon this Friday (10/17/) to discuss the removal of my thyroid. My ENT would like to have it removed to do further biopsy to see what is happening. About 5 months ago I had felt a lump in my throat when I swallowed and have pain penetrating up to my ear. When I had the FNA it wasn't that nodule they were concerned with. The other side had some nodules, which I didn't even realize were there, that show the cancer cells. I just want this out of my body. I am making my list of questions to discuss with the surgeon. Let me know of your progress during this time.
    Cindy
  • POG
    POG Member Posts: 10
    #4
    CVIC said:

    FNA Path Report Questions
    Patty,
    I just found out this past week that I have Thyroid cancer. Your diagnosis sounds a lot like mine after the FNA was done. I am to meet with a surgeon this Friday (10/17/) to discuss the removal of my thyroid. My ENT would like to have it removed to do further biopsy to see what is happening. About 5 months ago I had felt a lump in my throat when I swallowed and have pain penetrating up to my ear. When I had the FNA it wasn't that nodule they were concerned with. The other side had some nodules, which I didn't even realize were there, that show the cancer cells. I just want this out of my body. I am making my list of questions to discuss with the surgeon. Let me know of your progress during this time.
    Cindy

    Hi Cindy
    Thanks for your response. I am very sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It sounds like your cells were more definitely cancer. Mine they just call atypical whatever that means. You will have to let me know what the surgeon says about your surgery. I had pain up to my ear on occasion, too, but attributed to toothache. I have other random (but now realize that could be related also) symptoms but always consider all aches and pains as "age related" since I hate getting old. :) You are correct that your situation does sound similar though. A nodule was found incidentally on CT for lung a few months ago. Then sonogram found lots of them (I think they said 24). Original one found wasn't of concern in my case either (nor any of the others it seems) but a solitary one got their attention - hence the FSA. I am also going to the doctors on Friday! Going to cancer center to thryoid cancer specialist who will read my slides again and give me a 2nd opinion as I am reluctant to have any surgery unless cancer center says do it or else. Seems surreal to feel fine (other than those annoying who knows what it is symptoms on occasion) and now have to go to cancer center. I think the worse part is waiting until Friday. While waiting I go from diagnosing myself with a month to live to deciding it is nothing at all while searching the internet obsessively. Good thing it is almost Friday or I would need to find a psychiatric center, too! Let's compare notes on Friday. I hope that you get all your questions answered! Then I can ask you! I will be thinking of you on Friday. Best of luck and I hope you find it is the very, very curable - if still very, very awful - type of thyroid cancer with only minor surgery needed. :)
  • cboo1974
    cboo1974 Member Posts: 56
    #5
    FNA pathology report questions
    HI Patty,
    I can't give you any insight on your pathology report but I also have always had normal thyroid function. I asked my ENT why the cancer did not show up on any of the thyroid blood tests and why it showed normal function. He told me it was because cancer does not show up in the blood tests. It's strange how you feel fine and are healthy but you end up with cancer. I had no clue about the cancer. I got lucky that the ENT assistant found the lump in my neck when I went in to set up sleep apneia testing. Good Luck.
    Cindy
  • CVIC
    CVIC Member Posts: 5
    #6
    POG said:

    Hi Cindy
    Thanks for your response. I am very sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It sounds like your cells were more definitely cancer. Mine they just call atypical whatever that means. You will have to let me know what the surgeon says about your surgery. I had pain up to my ear on occasion, too, but attributed to toothache. I have other random (but now realize that could be related also) symptoms but always consider all aches and pains as "age related" since I hate getting old. :) You are correct that your situation does sound similar though. A nodule was found incidentally on CT for lung a few months ago. Then sonogram found lots of them (I think they said 24). Original one found wasn't of concern in my case either (nor any of the others it seems) but a solitary one got their attention - hence the FSA. I am also going to the doctors on Friday! Going to cancer center to thryoid cancer specialist who will read my slides again and give me a 2nd opinion as I am reluctant to have any surgery unless cancer center says do it or else. Seems surreal to feel fine (other than those annoying who knows what it is symptoms on occasion) and now have to go to cancer center. I think the worse part is waiting until Friday. While waiting I go from diagnosing myself with a month to live to deciding it is nothing at all while searching the internet obsessively. Good thing it is almost Friday or I would need to find a psychiatric center, too! Let's compare notes on Friday. I hope that you get all your questions answered! Then I can ask you! I will be thinking of you on Friday. Best of luck and I hope you find it is the very, very curable - if still very, very awful - type of thyroid cancer with only minor surgery needed. :)

    Will see dr. on Friday
    I will let you know how I make out on Friday. I go thru that emotional roller coaster also. I keep telling myself I have to much to do and see yet in life for this to get me down. But sometimes it is hard to keep so positive. It is good to talk to people that really understand because they are going thru it. I really never understood before. Take care and I will post over the weekend.
    Cindy
  • POG
    POG Member Posts: 10
    #7
    cboo1974 said:

    FNA pathology report questions
    HI Patty,
    I can't give you any insight on your pathology report but I also have always had normal thyroid function. I asked my ENT why the cancer did not show up on any of the thyroid blood tests and why it showed normal function. He told me it was because cancer does not show up in the blood tests. It's strange how you feel fine and are healthy but you end up with cancer. I had no clue about the cancer. I got lucky that the ENT assistant found the lump in my neck when I went in to set up sleep apneia testing. Good Luck.
    Cindy

    Hi to Cindy and Gail
    So glad Gail responded as she is more experienced. I think it is positive that you have the same type of cancer as Gail and so may not have to endure the dreaded RAI - from what I read here it sounds pretty awful and I send those who do have to endure it my best wishes and admiration for their strength. Good luck tomorrow, Cindy...just get that 2nd surgery over with before the holidays! Get it all out and then you won't have to worry so much. I am sure it was a pretty big shock since such a small percentage of the thyroids on which they operate are cancerous. I am thinking: don't you wish you were one of small % who win the $$$ lottery and not the cancer lottery! Let us know tomorrow when they schedule the 2nd - and hopefully the last - surgery! I am staying positive and looking forward to my 2nd opinion - they will read the actual slides again and not just read the report so that is reassuing. Thanks, Gail, for continuing to offer reassurance. It really helps. I have also sworn off all internet research...although I have read so many thyroid cytology articles this week that I am going to apply for the job of pathology lab tech in my next life.

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