Partial positive?

[DeeChe]

Hi,

I was told my last ultrascan and FNA biopsy results were ok by ENT a while back but needed another ultrascan.

but i went for the 2nd US where they told me i had to have another 2 FNA's because my last biopsy came back as a partial positive!

So what does partial positive mean? need honest answers please.

BTW my thyroid function is normal.

[Clutter]

I've not heard of "partial positive" in relation to FNA. I'd be inclined to telephone ENT for an explanation. I hope your retest is benign.

FNA cancer classifications explained to me were:

1) Not sufficient [cells to test]

2) Benign

3) Probably benign (but can't be sure)

4) Probably benign (can't be sure, but likely)

5) Not benign

[DeeChe in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, i cant help thinking anything with the word positive in biopsy is obviously bad, hate waiting for results on things like this.

[Clutter in reply to DeeChe]

Dee,

I think you are due an immediate explanation of why you weren't told in an appropriate and timely manner so you had an opportunity to discuss the implications with your specialist.

While a positive result is worrying, please be aware that 85% of thyCa diagnosis is for papillary cancers which are very slow growing. If you're under 40 years and the nodule is <2cm the recommendation may be active watch & wait rather than surgery.

Ultrasound scans have become so sophisticated that tiny tumours <2mm are now detected. FNA needs to catch up to determine whether tumours are benign or not, and if not, to identify papillary, follicular and variants.

I had Hurthle cell carcinoma, an aggressive follicular variant, which wasn't identified until the lobe was biopsied. Completion thyroidectomy followed 3 months later and that lobe was free of cancer.

I hope it all works out for you.