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Updated: May 10, 2026
07:01
An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
Primary osteosarcoma of the thyroid gland - a case report
Ewa Zembala-Nożyńska1, Dariusz Lange
1Department of Tumour Pathology, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland.
Contemporary Oncology (Poznan, Poland)
|June 22, 2013
Summary
This case report details a rare primary thyroid osteosarcoma in a 76-year-old woman. Diagnosis was confirmed via immunohistochemistry, revealing mesenchymal origin and high proliferative activity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Primary osteosarcoma of the thyroid is an exceptionally rare malignancy.
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma can exhibit metaplastic changes, complicating diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old female presented with a rapidly growing right thyroid lobe tumor.
- Histopathology revealed anaplastic carcinoma with extensive osseous metaplasia, negative for thyroglobulin, calcitonin, synaptophysin, and chromogranin.
- High tumor proliferative activity (MIB-1 approx. 40%) and positive vimentin staining confirmed mesenchymal origin, distinguishing it from typical thyroid carcinomas.
Findings:
- The final diagnosis was primary thyroid osteosarcoma, a rare mesenchymal tumor of the thyroid.
- The tumor was staged as pT4aNxMx.
- Immunohistochemistry was crucial, showing negative cytokeratin and positive vimentin.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of comprehensive histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation for diagnosing rare thyroid malignancies.
- The mesenchymal origin and aggressive nature necessitate tailored treatment strategies, potentially excluding radiotherapy due to low sensitivity.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal management of primary thyroid osteosarcoma is warranted.
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