Hürthle cell tumors

a) To provide a clinicopathological profile of Hürthle cell neoplasms (HCT) in our experience. b) To evaluate if there are any differences in the clinical or morphological features between three HCT categories: benign, malignant and indeterminate. c) To examine the role of the clinical and morphological features in predicting the behavior of these neoplasms.

We reviewed the clinical reports of all patients with a histological diagnosis of HCT at our Hospital between 1981 and 1996. The final study group consisted of 25 cases. The neoplasms were divided into three categories on the basis of presence and degree of capsular and vascular invasion, marked nuclear atypia, tumour necrosis and pattern of growth. A series of clinical parameters were evaluated.

Of the 25 tumors, 52% were morphologically classified as benign, 8% as indeterminate and 40% as malignant. Follow-up ranged from 10 months to 14.8 years or until death (average 3.8 years). There were four local recurrences (20%), three in the malignant group (30%) and one in the benign group (7.6%) (p = 0.15). One patient presented metastases and died because of tumor during the follow-up. Apart from capsular and vascular invasion and some aspects of therapy, no significant differences were found in the clinical and histological parameters analyzed between the three histological groups or between the groups with or without recurrence.

We did not find any clinical or morphological parameter which can predict recurrence among these tumors. Our study further establishes the controversial issues surrounding the biological behavior of Hürthle cell neoplasms.