Does Anyone know what this Path means ?

[Guest guest]

I am reading my pathology report from 1990, since I have a regrowth

after 12 years. This is the first time I have ever seen this.

What does papillary carcinoma " follicular variant " mean ?

in PA

[Guest guest]

, I hope this repost from Dr. Ain helps!

Gail

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear ThyCa Members:

In the modern assessment of thyroid cancer, the presence of certain

features within the cells of the tumor (cytological features) can be

diagnostic of papillary thyroid cancer independent of the general

appearance of the tumor. In this way, follicular variant of papillary

cancer or papillary cancers with " follicular architecture " are actually

papillary thyroid cancers and not follicular thyroid cancers. Although

this may seem like nitpicking to some, to thyroid cancer specialists

this imparts important information relating to prognosis and clinical

approach. There are actually a much larger number of variants of both

papillary and of follicular carcinomas with distinct features of

clinical importance. Many times the nuances of these distinctions are

not known to some physicians and even to some pathologists. For this

reason, it is generally appropriate to request (at some added expense)

2nd opinions of pathology from outside pathologists in all but the most

typical papillary carcinomas (unless the primary pathologist has

particular note and expertise in thyroid cancer pathology).

Second opinions of pathology are most critical when pathologist

diagnose a " benign " follicular adenoma. This is one of the most

difficult diagnoses to make because the designation as benign requires

a meticulous search to demonstrate the absence of any vascular or

capsular invasion. It is not too rare when such people who have had a

diagnosis of " benign " follicular adenoma show up 10-20

years later with follicular cancers spread to the bones & /or lung. In

such cases, re-reading of the original thyroid surgery slides usually

reveals the missed evidence of cancer.

The most important lesson to learn is that physicians are human and

fallible; however troubles can be avoided by selecting physicians with

particular expertise and experience and by judicious use of 2nd

opinions.

**************PLEASE BE ADVISED*********************

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS COMMUNICATION IS INTENDED FOR

EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED, NOR SHOULD IT BE

CONSTRUED, AS SPECIFIC MEDICAL ADVICE OR DIRECTIONS. ANY PERSON VIEWING

THIS INFORMATION IS ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN PHYSICIAN(S) ABOUT ANY

MATTER REGARDING THEIR MEDICAL CARE.

************************************************

B. Ain, M.D.

Professor of Internal Medicine

Director, Thyroid Nodule & Oncology Clinical Service

Director, Thyroid Cancer Research Laboratory

Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine

Department of Internal Medicine, Room MN524

University of Kentucky Medical Center

800 Rose Street,

Lexington, Kentucky 40536-0298

>

> I am reading my pathology report from 1990, since I have a regrowth

> after 12 years. This is the first time I have ever seen this.

> What does papillary carcinoma " follicular variant " mean ?

>

> in PA