Selected updates in thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal gland pathology

Endocrine pathology is continuously advancing with with new classification systems and an increased understanding the underlying pathogenesis and genetic alterations, whether somatic or germline, in endocrine diseases. Many changes have recently occurred in the classification of thyroid carcinoma, the most complex of which involve the new category of "high-grade follicular cell derived non anaplastic thyroid carcinoma" which encompasses both poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas and differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinomas. The word "hyperplasia" is no longer used with primary multiglandular parathyroid disease due to increased understanding of its clonal nature. New terminology of "atypical parathyroid tumor" has been introduced for tumors highly worrisome for malignancy but without definitive invasion. "Parafibromin deficient parathyroid tumor" is now used for parathyroid neoplasms that show complete loss of nuclear parafibromin all tumor cells. Newer classification systems are increasingly used in the classification of adult and pediatric adrenal cortical neoplasms. The utility of CYP11B2 immunostain is being increasing reread recognized in the diagnosis of primary unilateral aldosteronism. This update focus on selected complex and significant areas in endocrine pathology that have undergone recent changes.