[Research progress in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma]

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a special type of thyroid carcinoma, the morphology and biological behavior of which are between well-differentiated and undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinomas. Currently, the diagnosis of PDTC mainly relies on the pathological standards. Although "Turin standards" is commonly used, there is no generally accepted diagnostic criteria. Surgery is still the main treatment for PDTC, but the adjuvant therapies are in dispute. Age, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage and integrity of surgical of PDTC are major factors that affect the prognosis. The identification of eosinophilic phenotype (hurthle cells) of PDTC is important. Some common immunohistochemical and molecular biomarkers, such as the insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3), E-cadherin and proliferating protein Ki67, may be helpful for distinguishing PDTC from other thyroid carcinoma. With the progress in studies regarding molecular markers for PDTC and the clinical characters of PDTC patients with large samples, the diagnosis for PDTC will greatly improved and the pathogenesis for PDTC will be elucidated.