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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
05:39
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
[Poorly differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid]
Yasuhiro Ito1, Mitsuyoshi Hirokawa, Akira Miyauchi
1Department of Surgery, Kuma Hospital.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|November 21, 2007
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) and Japanese Society of Thyroid Surgery (JSTS) have different definitions for poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The WHO classification impacts patient survival, unlike the JSTS definition, suggesting it shouldn't be a separate histology.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Context:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Japanese Society of Thyroid Surgery (JSTS) independently classify poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
- Significant discrepancies exist between the WHO and JSTS definitions for this thyroid cancer subtype.
- Tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma is also a distinct entity with clinical implications.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and clinical significance of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma using both WHO and JSTS classifications.
- To compare the prognostic value of poorly differentiated carcinoma (WHO) versus poorly differentiated carcinoma (Sakamoto) and tall cell variant in papillary carcinoma.
- To determine if the JSTS definition of poorly differentiated carcinoma is an independent prognostic factor for cause-specific survival.
Summary:
- A study of 1,707 patients found poorly differentiated carcinoma (Sakamoto) in 10.9%, poorly differentiated carcinoma (WHO) in 0.9%, and tall cell variant in 3.6%.
- Poorly differentiated carcinoma (WHO) and tall cell variant were independent predictors of cause-specific survival (CSS).
- Poorly differentiated carcinoma (Sakamoto) did not independently affect CSS but predicted recurrence, questioning its status as a distinct histology.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that the WHO classification of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma has a significant impact on patient outcomes.
- The JSTS classification of poorly differentiated carcinoma may be less clinically significant as an independent entity for survival.
- This research may influence future diagnostic criteria and classification systems for thyroid cancer, particularly poorly differentiated subtypes.
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