Pathology Report Questions - 12-19-2022 12:13 AM
Greetings all - I had surgery on Dec 8th and am being released from the hospital tomorrow, Dec 19th. I was found to have a tumor on the base of my tongue (30%, right side) and had a partial glossectomy, neck dissection (with 34 lymph nodes removed, both sides), tracheostomy, and tissue taken from my right thigh to build my flap. All seems to be healing. The results of the pathology report highlight no tumor detected in lymph nodes, submandibular glands (both side) within normal limits, tongue resection invasive moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.It then goes on to summarize tumor invades sub-epithelial tissue and intrinsic tongue muscle. Margins uninvolved by tumor. Present less than 0.1 cm from posterior and lateral-inferior margins. Lymphatic/vascular invasion; present, highlighted on VVG stain. Stage T4aN0
From what I can tell, the good news is that the margins were clear, and the lymph nodes showed no sign of the cancer invasion. I don’t understand the presence on the lymphatic/vascular invasion. Is this based on a different sample?
Overall it’s much better than what I went in thinking. From the PET scan, the dr estimated that it had crossed the midline and noted activity in my lymph nodes on the right side, and possibly the left. I understand the scans can be misleading (hard to keep my tongue still while having to do things like swallowing). But I’m unsure how to interpret the rest.
Apologies for all the questions, my doctor went out on leave and it was a resident that dropped the report off.
From what I can tell, the good news is that the margins were clear, and the lymph nodes showed no sign of the cancer invasion. I don’t understand the presence on the lymphatic/vascular invasion. Is this based on a different sample?
Overall it’s much better than what I went in thinking. From the PET scan, the dr estimated that it had crossed the midline and noted activity in my lymph nodes on the right side, and possibly the left. I understand the scans can be misleading (hard to keep my tongue still while having to do things like swallowing). But I’m unsure how to interpret the rest.
Apologies for all the questions, my doctor went out on leave and it was a resident that dropped the report off.