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Warthin-like papillary carcinoma of the thyroid
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, 6 Founders Pavilion, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|August 3, 2000
Summary
Warthin-like papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, often associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, presents unique diagnostic challenges. These tumors exhibit papillary formations and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, behaving similarly to conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Warthin-like papillary carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare entity.
- It is characterized by papillary formations, oncocytic cytoplasm, and significant lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates.
- It resembles Warthin tumor of the salivary glands.
Observation:
- Clinicopathologic features of 17 patients were analyzed.
- Tumors occurred in 15 women and 2 men, aged 23-63 years.
- All tumors were thyroid-confined, with 6 showing cystic and the rest solid patterns, arising in a background of lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Findings:
- Fine-needle aspiration biopsy diagnoses varied, including papillary carcinoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis.
- Nodal metastases were present in 3 cases, but no distant metastases were observed.
- Associated findings included papillary microcarcinoma and follicular variant of papillary carcinoma in other thyroid areas.
Implications:
- Warthin-like tumors can be misdiagnosed as benign lymphoepithelial lesions or other thyroid carcinomas.
- These tumors appear to have a clinical behavior similar to conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma.
- The prominent lymphocytic infiltration suggests a potential role for immune mechanisms in thyroid tumor development.
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