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[Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid]
1Service d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Archives D'Anatomie Et De Cytologie Pathologiques
|October 1, 1998
Summary
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer in elderly women, presenting as a rapidly growing neck mass. Histology reveals abnormal spindle/giant cells, and immunohistochemistry confirms epithelial origin.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
Context:
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and aggressive endocrine malignancy.
- It predominantly affects elderly females and is characterized by rapid progression and poor prognosis.
Purpose:
- To describe the key histological and immunohistochemical features of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.
- To highlight its clinical presentation and common associations.
Summary:
- Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid, or undifferentiated carcinoma, is a rare thyroid malignancy typically seen in elderly females.
- Histologically, it features a proliferation of spindle and/or giant cells with significant cytonuclear abnormalities, mitotic activity, and necrosis.
- Immunohistochemistry often shows epithelial markers like cytokeratins, with frequent cytokeratin-vimentin coexpression.
- ATC can arise de novo or transform from well-differentiated thyroid cancers, where p53 analysis aids in identifying transformation.
Impact:
- Provides essential diagnostic criteria for pathologists encountering this rare tumor.
- Enhances understanding of ATC's aggressive nature and potential origins.
- Aids in differentiating ATC from other thyroid neoplasms and in recognizing transformation from differentiated types.