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Thyroid perivascular epithelioid cell tumor: A rare case report
Wenqing Feng1, Binshen Ouyang2, Chaofei Li3
1Department of General Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of International Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
|May 30, 2025
Summary
This case report details an extremely rare thyroid perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). Surgical resection proved safe and feasible, suggesting it as a viable management option for this rare thyroid neoplasm.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms.
- These tumors exhibit characteristics of both smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation.
- PEComas typically express smooth muscle actin (SMA), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MiTF), and cathepsin K.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old woman presented with a gradually enlarging thyroid nodule.
- The nodule was surgically resected via unilateral thyroidectomy.
- Postoperative immunohistochemistry confirmed PEComa, positive for cathepsin K, MiTF, and SMA.
Findings:
- Thyroid PEComas are exceptionally rare, with limited reported cases.
- Distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid PEComas remains challenging.
- The patient's condition stabilized post-surgery with short-term follow-up.
Implications:
- Surgical resection is a safe and effective management strategy for thyroid PEComas.
- Long-term follow-up is crucial for monitoring outcomes of thyroid PEComas.
- This case contributes to the limited understanding of PEComas in the thyroid gland.
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