Primary Thyroid Lymphoma: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare malignancy.
• PTL frequently co-occurs with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Treatment for PTL differs from other thyroid cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical presentation of PTL.
• To evaluate diagnostic methods for PTL.
• To analyze treatment strategies for PTL.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of seven PTL patients (2017-2021).
• Data collected on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Histopathological examination confirmed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Main Results:

• Seven patients (5 female, 2 male; mean age 57.8) diagnosed with PTL.
• Four patients had co-existing Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Rapidly enlarging thyroid mass with compression symptoms was common.
• Core needle biopsy and surgical excision were diagnostic.
• All cases confirmed as DLBCL.
• Mortality observed in two patients (stages III and IV).

Conclusions:

• Rapidly growing thyroid mass with Hashimoto's thyroiditis suggests PTL.
• DLBCL is the predominant PTL subtype.
• Core needle biopsy is superior to fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosis.
• Surgery is primarily diagnostic; prognosis depends on disease stage.