Solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland: report of two cases and review of the literature

A case report of solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland and literature review

RATIONALE

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon soft tissue tumor that was first discovered in the pleura. Although SFTs have been documented in other extra-pleural sites, an SFT in the thyroid gland is highly unusual. An SFT of the thyroid gland can be difficult to diagnose, and there is little information about their Underlying biological behavior.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present a case of a 63-year-old man with a progressively growing left-neck mass detected 1 month ago, which was pathologically confirmed to be a benign SFT of the thyroid gland.

DIAGNOSIS

Postoperative pathological examination of the tumor revealed an SFT. Immunopathological examination was consistent with the diagnosis of an SFT.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent surgical resection of the SFT.

OUTCOMES

The patient was recurrence-free during 1.5 years of follow-up.

LESSONS

Surgical excision is beneficial in SFTs that show no histological signs of malignancy, such as pleomorphism, enhanced mitotic activity, necrosis, bleeding, or capsular invasion. However, because the biologic activity remains unknown, meticulous long-term monitoring is required.

Primary solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland: A review starting from a case report

Primary solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the thyroid gland is a rare mesenchymal tumor with fibroblastic differentiation, ramified, thin-walled, enlarged (staghorn) vessels and specific NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion, which is more commonly found in pleura and peritoneum. This neoplasm can be located in a variety of anatomical sites outside pleura and peritoneum including bone, visceral organs and soft tissues, head and neck examples representing only 10-15% of the extra-pleural and extra-peritoneal tumors. Diagnosing this entity can be difficult, especially in thyroid gland, mainly because of the rarity of this neoplasm, but presence of characteristic microscopic features together with positivity for STAT6 and CD34 can confirm the diagnosis and exclude other differential diagnosis. Information about the diagnosis and treatment options of thyroid SFTs is limited but almost all primary thyroid SFTs have a good prognosis and indolent clinical course. Clinical surveillance is still necessary because some SFTs can be aggressive. Raising awareness regarding extra-pleural and extra-peritoneal location of this tumor in endocrine organs can help to better manage these patients. We report the case of a 34-year-old female with primary SFT of the thyroid gland. Additionally, we review the literature for the main clinical, paraclinical and pathological features of this neoplasm.

Solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck region revisited: a single-institution study of 20 cases and review of the literature

A solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare, NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene-associated mesenchymal neoplasm. It most commonly arises in the pleural site, but it can occur at many other sites, and rarely also in the head and neck (H&N) region. STFs may show many growth patterns and therefore can be easily mistaken for other more common H&N spindle cell or epithelial lesions. In this study, we present our experience in the diagnosis of 20 cases of SFT in the H&N region and discuss their most notable mimickers. In all cases, STAT6 expression was found positive by immunohistochemistry, and the NAB2-STAT6 fusion was confirmed by next-generation sequencing. Three major fusion variants were detected: NAB2ex2-STAT6int1 (5/20, 25%), NAB2ex6-STAT6ex16 (4/20, 20%), and NAB2ex4-STAT6ex2 (3/20, 15%). Clinical follow-up was available for 16 patients (median follow-up time: 84 months). One patient with a morphologically malignant SFT experienced multiple local recurrences, followed by dissemination into the lungs and meninges. This malignant SFT also displayed an aberrant FLI1 expression, which was not previously reported in SFT cases. We also summarize findings from 200 cases of SFT of the H&N region, which included cases from our study, and from previous studies that reported on the fusion status of the STAT6 gene. The results suggest that metastatic disease developed only in cases with STAT6 variants that included the DNA-binding domain (STAT6-full variants), which contradicts expectations from previous reports and deserves further investigation.

Extrapleural solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that arises from the pleura. A few SFTs have also been described in extrapleural sites. However, SFT of the thyroid gland is rare. Here, we report a case of extrapleural SFT on the thyroid gland, in addition to a literature review.

CASE SUMMARY

A 59-year-old man visited our hospital in July 2017 complaining of a large mass in his neck. His thyroid function test results, including antibody levels, were within the normal limits. Ultrasonography showed a 4.7 cm × 4.0 cm × 3.2 cm solitary mass of intermediate suspicion in the left thyroid lobe. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy was subsequently performed. The pathologist reported a benign follicular lesion. However, the size of this nodule increased to 5.5 cm × 5.0 cm × 3.4 cm by April 2018. After a multidisciplinary discussion, a left lobectomy was performed in May 2018. The specimen showed a well-demarcated, partly encapsulated, soft nodule of whitish and tan/brown color on the cut surface. Light microscopy revealed high cellularity with moderate cytologic atypia. The mitotic count was 5/10 high-power fields. There was no tumor necrosis or lymphovascular invasion. The tumor was CD34-positive and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6-positive. Neither thyroid transcription factor-1 nor cytokeratin expression was detected. The Ki-67 showed intermediate proliferative activity. The final diagnosis was extrapleural SFT of the thyroid gland with a clear resection margin. The patient was discharged without complication three days after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

In the literature, extrapleural SFT of the thyroid gland has been reported to behave indolently with the capacity for recurrence and rare metastasis, although surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Understanding this disease entity is important for accurate diagnosis and proper management.

Thyroid Gland Solitary Fibrous Tumor: Report of 3 Cases and a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Solitary fibrous tumors of the thyroid gland are exceptionally rare. In order to further characterize the clinical and pathologic features of solitary fibrous tumor arising at this anatomic site, three cases of thyroid gland solitary fibrous tumor were analyzed in conjunction with 35 cases compiled from the English literature. Thyroid gland solitary fibrous tumors showed an equal sex distribution with a mean age at presentation of 54.4 years (range, 28-88 years). The patients typically presented with an asymptomatic, slow growing neck mass. Microscopically, the tumors were characterized by cytologically bland spindle cells with patternless growth, hypocellular and hypercellular areas, variable amounts of collagen, and ectatic, branching blood vessels. Two previous reported tumors were considered to be histologically malignant on the basis of increased mitotic activity, profound pleomorphism and tumor necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells are variably positive with CD34, bcl-2, and CD99. STAT6 immunohistochemistry, performed on the current cases, demonstrated a strong, diffuse nuclear expression in all tumors. Among 26 patients with available follow up data (mean 47.3 months), one developed local recurrence and distant metastasis. Solitary fibrous tumors occurring in the thyroid gland are uncommon, but can be reliably diagnosed based on the presence of characteristic morphologic features as well as immunohistochemical expression of STAT6 and CD34. The majority of thyroid gland solitary fibrous tumors have exhibited an indolent clinical course, however experience is limited. The rare potential for aggressive clinical behavior requires clinical surveillance.

Solitary fibrous tumor of thyroid: a case report with review of literature

Solitary fibrous tumors are rare spindle cell tumors of mesenchymal origin most commonly found in the pleura and peritoneum. In contrast, extra-serosal locations are rare. We present a 41-year-old female with a progressively enlarging left-sided neck mass of one-year duration with subsequent rapid-onset growth over two months, and was pathologically confirmed to be a benign solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland.

Solitary Fibrous Tumors of the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Clinicopathologic Study

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) of the head and neck are uncommon. Lesions previously diagnosed in the head and neck as hemangiopericytomas (HPCs), giant cell angiofibromas (GCAs), and orbital fibrous histiocytomas (OFHs) are now recognized as within the expanded spectrum of SFTs. To better understand the clinicopathologic profile of head and neck SFTs, we performed a multi-institutional study of 88 examples. There was no sex predilection (F:M ratio 1.2), and the median patient age was 52 years (range: 15 to above 89 y). The sinonasal tract and orbit were the most common sites involved (30% and 25%), followed by the oral cavity and salivary glands (15% and 14%). Original diagnoses included HPC (25%), SFT (67%), and OFH (6%), with 1 SFT and 1 OFH noted as showing GCA-like morphology. On review, the predominant histologic pattern was classic SFT-like in 53% and cellular (former HPC-like) in 47%; lipomatous differentiation (8%) and GCA-like pattern (7%) were less prevalent. Subsets demonstrated nuclear atypia (23%), epithelioid morphology (15%), or coagulative necrosis (6%). Infiltrative growth (49%) and osseous invasion (82%) were prevalent among evaluable cases. Of the 48 SFTs with follow-up (median: 43 mo), 19 showed recurrence (40%). Of these, 4 patients were alive with disease and 4 dead of disease. Size and mitotic rate were negative prognosticators using a joint prognostic proportional hazards regression model. Three patients experienced metastasis, to lungs, parotid, bone, and skull base, including one case showing overtly sarcomatous "dedifferentiation." As a group, SFTs present in a wide anatomic and morphologic spectrum in the head and neck. Only rare examples metastasize or cause death from disease. However, the fairly high local recurrence rate underscores their aggressive potential and highlights the importance of prospective recognition.

Solitary fibrous tumor of neck mimicking cold thyroid nodule in 99m tc thyroid scintigraphy

A 68-year-old man had a rapidly growing, painless neck mass, thought to be nodular goiter. Ultrasonography showed a giant, heterogeneous mass occupying the middle and superior poles and protruding outside of the left thyroid lobe. The results of the thyroid function tests were normal. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed a large hypoactive nodule in the left thyroid lobe. Complete surgical removal of tumor was performed and macroscopically demonstrated a well-demarked lesion outside the thyroid gland. Microscopically, the lesion was composed of fibroblast-like spindle cells in a patternless architecture and extensive stromal hyalinization. Immunohistochemistry showed positive reaction for CD34 in spindle cells and diffuse bcl-2 staining. The pathology was confirmed as solitary fibrous tumor. In the follow-up period after surgery, thyroid scintigraphy showed normal left thyroid lobe. Solitary fibrous tumor originated from or associated with thyroid gland is extremely rare. According to our knowledge, this is the first reported solitary fibrous tumor presenting like a cold thyroid nodule. This pathology must be considered for differential diagnosis of neck masses in the thyroid region.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland

Solitary fibrous tumor is a spindle cell neoplasm rarely arising in the thyroid gland. We present a 78-year-old man with the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland resected by subtotal thyroidectomy. Fine needle aspiration cytology via ultrasound guidance demonstrated a hypocellular aspirate that revealed follicular epithelial cells with mild nuclear atypia and scattered spindle cells with bland nuclei. Histologically, the patternless proliferation of spindle cells was seen among collagenous bundles, accompanied by hemangiopericytomatous vessels, and variously dilated follicles with mild atypical cells having slightly enlarged nuclei, indicating adenomatous goiter. The neoplastic spindle cells showed diffuse immunoreactivity to CD34, bcl-2, CD99 and vimentin, but were negative for cytokeratins, calcitonin, TTF-1 and CD5. Although solitary fibrous tumor arising in thyroid gland is rare, this tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of thyroid spindle cell tumors and also that of adenomatous.

Intrathoracic thyroid solitary fibrous tumor presenting with respiratory failure

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that arises primarily from the pleura, but recognized also in other tissues. SFT in the thyroid gland is extremely rare. Here we presented the second reported SFT arising in an intrathoracic goiter. The88-year-old woman was referred with a huge goiter involving upper mediastinum accompanied by airway obstruction and tracheostomy. The patient underwent a left subtotal thyroidectomy, which revealed a SFT. No recurrence was noted during 3 years of follow-up.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland: a report of two cases with an analysis of their clinical and pathological features

Solitary fibrous tumors of the thyroid gland are rare soft-tissue neoplasms and only 24 cases have been reported in the literature to date. We describe two patients who underwent surgery for rapidly growing thyroid nodes of uncertain nature on cytology. At the final histological examination, they proved to be fibrous tumors of the thyroid gland that were CD-34, BCL2, CD-99, and Ki-67 positive, like other known cases. Neither of these two cases have recurred so far.

Primary solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid - report of a case and review of the literature

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle-cell neoplasm, especially in the thyroid. We report a case of primary solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland in a 37 year-old Chinese man. The tumor was characterized by bland-looking spindle cells admixed with thin and thick collagen fibers. On immunohistochemistry study indicated that tumor cells were diffusely positive for CD34, Bcl-2 and CD99, and negative for Desmin, NSE, SMA, S-100, and CD68. The patient remains well 16 months after excision. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of the thyroid SFTs are similar to their reported counterparts in other anatomic sites.

Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland: report of a case and review of the literature

Solitary fibrous tumors of the thyroid gland (T-SFT) are rarely described, with only 21 cases being reported in the English literatures, all showing benign clinical characteristics. We herein present a 76-year-old woman presenting with a 3-month history of rapidly enlarging neck masses and the CT showed masses with partial calcification in the right thyroid lobe. We performed right hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy with negative margin under general anesthesia. Histologically, the masses consisted of pleomorphic spindle cells with high mitoses and collagen bands. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed positive reactions for CD34, vimentin and bcl-2, then a diagnosis of malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the right thyroid was made. Six months postoperatively, the CT showed the recurrence of the thyroid tumor and the presence of many nodules of varying sizes throughout bilateral pulmonary lobes. To our knowledge, this is the first case of malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the thyroid gland (T-SFT) with local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis and T-SFT must be considered in the differential diagnosis of spindle cells lesions in the thyroid gland. Correct diagnosis of the malignant T-SFT plays an important role in choosing appropriate therapeutic strategies and long-term follow-up is also extremely essential for these patients.

Clinical images. Solitary fibrous tumor of the perithyroidal soft tissue mimicking substernal goiter

Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon neoplasm. We present a case of solitary fibrous tumor of the perithyroidal soft tissue mimicking a substernal goiter.

Solitary fibrous tumor arising in an intrathoracic goiter

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare spindle cell tumor most often found in the mediastinal pleura. Nineteen cases of SFT arising in the thyroid gland have been reported. We report a case of SFT of the thyroid gland with immunohistochemical and cytogenetic investigation.

SUMMARY

A 58-year-old man had pulmonary symptoms, thought to be asthma. Computed tomographic scan revealed a large goiter with a solid hyperechoic nodule. The results of thyroid function tests were normal. Microscopically, the lesion was composed of fibroblast-like spindle cells in a patternless growth. Cellular atypia or necrosis was not seen, and mitotic activity was low. Immunohistochemistry showed positive reaction for CD34, vimentin, bcl-2, and CD99. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of more than 100 cells exhibited no trisomy 21. Complete surgical removal of tumor is the treatment of choice.

CONCLUSION

The histological appearance and immunohistochemical reaction pattern of SFT is characteristic. The entity should be considered when dealing with a spindle cell lesion in the thyroid gland. All cases of this site of origin reported have had a benign clinical course. As only a small number of cases have been described, we recommend long-term follow-up.

A solitary fibrous tumor in the broad ligament of the uterus

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that occurs preferentially in the pleura. Although it has been described at some extrathoracic sites, its occurrence in the female genital tract is extremely rare. We are the first to report on an unusual case of a large (14cm in the largest diameter) SFT localized in the broad ligament of the uterus in a 50-year-old woman. The patient underwent surgical tumor extirpation and has remained well without any sign of local tumor recurrence after 6 years of follow-up. We discuss the clinical aspects, the gross macroscopic appearance, the histologic findings, and the differential diagnosis, and provide a review of the literature.