Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
Spindle cell transformation of papillary carcinoma: an aggressive entity distinct from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Margaret S Brandwein-Gensler1, Beverly Y Wang, Mark L Urken
1Department of Pathology, The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, The Mount Sinai New York University Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA. margie.brandwein@mssm.edu
Abstract:
Spindle cells are not routinely encountered in the context of thyroid pathology and are most often present in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and benign conditions such as Riedel struma or de Quervain granulomatous thyroiditis. Only a few publications have reported papillary thyroid carcinoma admixed with a prominent spindle cell component. While these tumors are clearly distinct from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, prognostication as to their oncologic potential is not yet established. We describe a unique case of spindle cell transformation of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The blandness of the spindle cells was so impressive as to dissuade us from a malignant diagnosis on preoperative biopsies. However, this patient unfortunately died shortly after transformation of this papillary thyroid carcinoma. We conclude that this peculiar and rare spindle cell transformation should be regarded as a potentially lethal variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Related Concept Videos
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Cellular Adaptation IV: Dysplasia and Metaplasia
Abnormal Proliferation
Abnormal Proliferation
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Anaphase Promoting Complex

