Thirty synchronous medullary and papillary thyroid carcinomas

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• The simultaneous occurrence of multiple neoplastic processes within the thyroid gland is uncommon.
• This study investigates the clinicopathological characteristics of 30 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) coexisting with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an exceptional number of synchronous MTC/PTC cases, potentially the largest series documented.
• To classify these synchronous tumors into four subtypes and present their clinical and pathological features.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of thyroid tumor cases over 14 years (June 2008-November 2022).
• Classification of synchronous MTC/PTC into four subtypes based on tumor intermingling and location.
• Review of clinical and pathological data, including tumor size, patient demographics, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Thirty patients with synchronous MTC/PTC were identified, with a prevalence of 0.1%.
• Type III (separate tumors in the same lobe) and Type IV (tumors in separate lobes/isthmus) were most common (46.7% and 33.3%, respectively).
• Recurrence occurred in four patients, with two deaths due to distant metastases.

Conclusions:

• This study represents a significant case series of synchronous MTC/PTC, offering insights into their presentation and behavior.
• The findings underscore the importance of thorough pathological examination for identifying co-occurring thyroid malignancies.