A fine needle aspiration biopsy was done on my right upper lung lobe based on a chest x-ray, ct scan and pet scan. The result was a few malignant cells consistent with non-small cell carcinoma. Oncologist stated that I needed surgery to remove all lymph nodes and upper right lobe of lung. Surgery was performed and no cancer was found in the lobe or lymph nodes. What was found was lung tissue loosely forming granulomatous inflammation associated with abundant yeast, morphologicaly consistent with Cryptococcus. Was my doctor too hasty with surgery and could this have been treated without surgery? Thank you
Hello, Fungal infections mimic malignancy in radiological investigations like x-ray and CT. Even in Fine needle aspiration biopsy (NAB) cells look atypical because of fungal infection (reactive atypical), (as happened in your report) but confirmation is by the needle core biopsy only. In your case biopsy was not done. (Oncology surgeon should have done that). Finally, I want to tell you that there is no malignancy. That is good thing to hear from you. Just a course of antibiotics and you're free from any lesion. Only sad thing is that upper lobe is removed, and I am sorry for that. Simple CT guided biopsy from the lesion could have prevented the surgery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.