Papillary carcinomas of the thyroid have pore-deficient nuclei

A significant reduction in nuclear pore density observed in papillary carcinomas compared to normal thyroid, adenomas and follicular carcinomas probably disturbs the nucleo-cytoplasmic transfer of ribonucleoproteins. This may contribute to the slow growth and indolent biological behavior of these tumors where even the presence of regional lymph node metastases does not worsen the prognosis. The signs of nuclear hyperactivity may result from an attempt to compensate for the nuclear membrane defect.