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Parotid gland report can anyone make sense if it

Buttercups
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Hi I’m new here!

i was diagnosed with early stage 1 lung cancer in november and begin radiotherapy next week.  During investigations the PET scan picked up parotid gland and although 2 different lung consultants felt it was nothing to worry about they wanted to get it checked with an ultra sound and FNA.

I had an appt with an ENT assistant who read the report to me (below) and said they couldn't get a diagnosis so recommend surgery! I found this a tad extreme to be honest. I have since been offered a contrast MRI and a core needle procedure.

 Would these procedures give a more accurate diagnosis? What is a core needle procedure?   Obviously I do not want surgery if it is not necessarily needed.   
This is the lab report if anyone can explain it to me please!                   

Parotid gland lab report

Rt lung (illegible) referred for radiotherapy - PET scan showed Lt parotid nodule (very small) with avid uptake ?

MACROSCOPY:

'US guided fine needle aspiration'

Approx Volume: 5ml

Opacity: Clear

Colour: Red

Fragments/Clots: Yes, fragments

MICROSCOPY:

This is a cellular aspirate showing numerous oncocytes with dense cytoplasm and nuclei showing nucleoli. The cells are dyscohesive. There are also sheets in which magenta matrix is seen. There are histocytes present as well.

Calcification is noted. Only a few lymphocytes, if any are seen. The cytological features are suggestive of aspirate from an oncocytic lesion. The differentials include showing oncocytic change, Warthin's tumour and an oncocytoma.

Excision of pleomorphic salivary adenoma is needed to accurately diagnose the lesion

Thank you for any advice you can offer.




Parents

  • Hi there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and the further investigations you are needing of your parotid gland.

    Whilst we cannot interpret histology reports it sounds like they have picked up some abnormal features in the fine needle biopsy.

    These are likely to be benign (non cancer) but to be absolutely sure they need a further sample taken to confirm the diagnosis. A core biopsy is where a larger tissue sample of the lesion can be obtained and to have this carried out alongside a MRI will ensure the correct location.

    I appreciate how you would rather not to have to go through further tests but it sounds like they really need to make sure nothing else is going on.

    I hope this helps but do get back in touch if needed.

    All the best

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Thanks so much for your reply, I really appreciate your explanation. I now have dates for both the MRI and the Core biopsy so hopefully things will be a bit clearer in the coming weeks.

    Thank you again. 

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