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An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Medullary thyroid carcinoma presenting as rectangular cell type on fine-needle aspiration
Andrew M Schreiner1, Grace C H Yang
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York 10065, USA. ams2033@med.cornell.edu
Diagnostic Cytopathology
|January 22, 2009
Summary
Medullary thyroid carcinoma can present with unusual rectangular cells in aspirates, differing from typical presentations. Recognizing this morphology is crucial for accurate initial diagnosis and avoiding misclassification as follicular neoplasms.
Area of Science:
- Cytopathology
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
Background:
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) diagnosis relies on characteristic cell morphology in fine-needle aspiration (FNA).
- Typical MTC cytology shows dyscohesive plasmacytoid, spindled, or polygonal cells.
- Accurate cytological interpretation is vital for appropriate patient management.
Observation:
- A rare case of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma presented with distinct cytological features.
- The aspirate was hypercellular, featuring cohesive aggregates of rectangle-shaped cells.
- This morphology differed significantly from the typical presentation of MTC.
Findings:
- The unusual morphology led to a misdiagnosis of a hypercellular follicular neoplasm on initial cytology.
- Post-surgical histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
- This case highlights a previously under-recognized cytological variant of MTC.
Implications:
- Clinicians and cytopathologists should consider medullary thyroid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of neoplasms with cohesive rectangular cells.
- Awareness of this variant morphology can improve diagnostic accuracy for MTC.
- This finding may refine cytological criteria for MTC diagnosis.
