Rossi ED, Faquin WC, Pantanowitz L. Cytologic features of aggressive variants of follicular-derived thyroid carcinoma.
Cancer Cytopathol 2019;
127:432-446. [PMID:
31150164 DOI:
10.1002/cncy.22136]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Certain carcinomas of the thyroid gland behave aggressively resulting in increased patient morbidity and poor patient prognosis. The diagnosis of these aggressive thyroid cancer subtypes is sometimes challenging and subject to increased interobserver variability. This review deals with the cytological features of such tumors including aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma, poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. These malignancies fall into 2 groups based on their cytomorphology: those that exhibit distinct microscopic features (eg, nuclear findings typical of classical papillary thyroid carcinoma or marked anaplasia) and those that present with more subtle cytologic features (eg, nuclear pseudostratification, "soap bubble" nuclei, supranuclear or subnuclear cytoplasmic vacuoles, rosette-like structures, hobnail cells). We review the literature regarding these aggressive thyroid cancers and highlight important phenotypic characteristics that can be useful for their diagnosis based on fine needle aspiration.
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