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Thyroid/cervical teratomas in children: immunohistochemical studies for specific thyroid epithelial cell markers
G M Vujanić1, H R Harach, P Minić
1Department of Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Pediatric Pathology
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Thyroid teratomas in children can contain neoplastic thyroid tissue. This study found thyroglobulin-positive thyroid follicles in three of four pediatric teratomas, suggesting a thyroid origin for these rare tumors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pathology
- Surgical Pathology
- Endocrine Pathology
Background:
- Teratomas are germ cell tumors containing elements from all three germ layers.
- Thyroid teratomas are rare neoplasms, and their origin and components are not fully understood.
- Previous studies suggested an ultimobranchial origin for some cervical teratomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and origin of thyroid tissue in pediatric teratomas using immunohistochemistry.
- To evaluate specific thyroid epithelial cell markers in thyroid and cervical teratomas.
- To determine if these tumors originate from the ultimobranchial body.
Main Methods:
- Pathological examination of four pediatric teratomas (three intrathyroid, one cervical).
- Immunohistochemical analysis using specific thyroid epithelial cell markers.
- Assessment for neoplastic thyroglobulin and calcitonin immunoreactivity.
Main Results:
- All four tumors exhibited components from the three germinal cell layers.
- Neoplastic thyroglobulin-immunoreactive thyroid follicles were identified in three intrathyroid teratomas.
- The cervical teratoma lacked thyroglobulin immunoreactivity, and no calcitonin immunoreaction was observed in any tumor.
Conclusions:
- Thyroid tissue, specifically thyroglobulin-positive follicles, can be a neoplastic component of pediatric intrathyroid teratomas.
- The findings do not support an ultimobranchial origin for these teratomas, as evidenced by the absence of calcitonin.
- Thyroid tissue is a potential component of cervical teratomas, distinct from simple entrapment of normal thyroid follicles.