Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid

Eighteen cases of patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid are analyzed. Patients were treated by irradiation and/or chemotherapy and in 9 cases the operation of the thyroid was realized. Two patients of operated group and two patients of non-operated group died after 1-365 days due to malignant lymphoma. The mean follow up of living patients is 66.8 months. In 5 cases, the coincidence of malignant lymphoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis was proved. The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid in all cases but one was based on cytology gained from fine needle biopsy and then confirmed in most cases by histology. We advise to use fine needle biopsy as a simple and safe method in all solitary nodules of the thyroid of uncertain origin and urgent fine needle biopsy in cases of fast growing mass on the neck. Fine needle biopsy reliably differentiates between primary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid. Difficulties can arise in differential diagnosis between malignant lymphoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis.