The fna showed papillary thyroid cancer. is it possible for surgical pathology to be benign? i haven't had surgery yet. nodules are on both lobes.

Unlikely: When a thyroid fna shows carcinoma, it is virtually certain that the subsequent surgical specimen will also. You ought to have the surgery as soon as possible. Delay only allows a greater chance for metastatic spread to other body sites.

Low false positive: Fna has a really low false positive rate. That is, it is very unlikely that the fna says a nodule is cancer when in fact it is benign. You need to have your thyroid removed. See an experienced thyroid surgeon.

Very low: Statistically, the probability of a "false positive result" is on the order of several percent (i.e. Very low). If fna's of both nodules occurred and both were diagnosed as papillary carcinoma, then the chance of two false positive results, is significantly lower than 1%. It sounds like you should have those nodules removed surgically.

Papillary Cancer: Unfortunately you need to have the surgery. If the fna showed this it is very unlikely that is inaccurate. Pathologists don't take lightly the responsibility they have in making these diagnoses. I would anticipate a total thyroidectomy being recommended.

Very unlikely.: If a thyroid fna was interpreted as papillary carcinoma, it would be highly unlikely for subsequent excision to show only benign findings. When a pathologist calls a thyroid fna cancer, there is >98% probability that the excision will confirm the diagnosis of malignancy. If you question the diagnosis from the fna, you could request a second opinion on the pathology slides. Hope this helps...