AboutNeha Dahiya MD Expertise I can help patients understand their lab report results, help them with queries regarding what pretest prepration is required. How often a follow up test needs to be done. What does a particular tissue biopsy report mean in everyday english. I can explain the biopsy or cytology procedure. I can deal with Histopathology / cytology / clinical pathology and clinical chemistry queries. Helping in this manner will be my contribution to the community.
Experience I am a pathologist and director of clinical laboratory services. I have been a practicing pathologist for last 9 years in a 350 bed multispecialty hospital laboratory.
Organizations Indian association of pathologists and microbiologists.
MIAC - Member International Academy of Cytology
International association of Pathologists - indian division
Indian association of Cytology
Question Are Epitheleal cells in neck lymph node precanerous typically Had TT 8/30/07 followed by i-131 Oct 2007 for Papillary Carcinoma. In 5/2008 US showed enlarged Lymph node. Doc order FNA which showed epitheleal cells in Lymph node. Pathologist said excision only way to evaluate further.
Doc now referring me back to surgeon to review US, and slides. Coincidentally, or not perhaps, also have hoarseness for which is is also having me see ENT.
Are epitheleal cells in and of themselves unusual in this area? Are epitheleal cells precancerous?
Answer Hello Joan:
Lymph nodes do not have epithelial cells and if present always need to be evaluated.
In an FNA sample epithelial cells can appear as a contaminant from skin itself.
The morphology (appearance) of epithelial cells is more important in determining if they are precancerous or actual cancer cells.
a review of FNA slides may help decide on this issue. if not only an excision biopsy can resolve the question of epithelial cells.
