AboutNeha Dahiya MD Expertise I can help patients understand their lab report results, help them with queries regarding what pretest preparation 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 multi specialty 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 QUESTION: I have this report and they want to do surgery. I want to make sure that is needed. This report says 4.2x7.2x3.1cm solid with fluid in center. Microscopic examination shows highly cellular sample, but without colloid in the background. Cells are seen in irregular clusters and sheets, with small, rare microfollicular aggregates. Nuclei are enlarged and round, with pale chromatin and occasional nuclear grooves, but no intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusion. Numerous sideorphages are present, indicating prior hemorrhage. It is regarded as abnormal, and suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (at least). this may be follicular adenoma'carcinoma, but a follicular variant of papillary carcinoma has been strongly considered. Could you put this in every day words...is it more likely than not this is cancer. If it is more likely to be nothing I would rather leave it alone. Thank You
ANSWER: Hello Cynthia:
The report describes the appearance of follicular cell which are found in the thyroid.
Their appearance is not of clear cut cancer cells, however these are also not totally normal appearing.
The suspicion is that it is a type of follicular neoplasm. Which means it is either a benign growth or cancer having a pattern of cells called follicular. These are difficult to classify on FNAC and If there is a strong suspicion then only way to have a confirmed diagnosis is to take out the thyroid. It may still turn out to be nothing or could be cancer.
The fianl decision would rest with you and your doctor.
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QUESTION: could you tell me what rare microfollicular aggregates means. and what are sideorphanges. I am assuming it bleed at some point hence the hemorrhage part. Is this considered large? I had one doctor say statistically it should be nothing, and another say he would lean more towards it being something do you have a thought on that from the report? I am scheduled for surgery on 6-23
Answer Hello again:
microflollicular aggregate refers to a collection of cells from thyroid which form the pattern of a follicle - small spherical group of cells with a central cavity.
Siderophages are scavenger cells which have ingested the breakdown product of red blood cells. They are present because you may have bled within the lesion.
I agree that statistically this is not significant, but I like to think of each patient as an individual and not a statistic and given all the information on the report would like to have the issue resolved. It is always better to err on the side of caution whenever there is even a remote suspicion of cancer.
