We describe herein histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings and clinical manifestations of a rare case of an extremely well differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma (EWD-PTC). Similarly, it is also difficult to diagnose follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC), whose diagnosis is still met with controversy. A recently reported entity of well-differentiated tumor of uncertain malignant potential (WDT-UMP) is added to the diagnostic spectrum harboring EWD-PTC and FVPTC. We report this case, because EWD-PTC is different from FVPTC in its papillary architecture, and also from WDT-UMP in its recurrence and metastatic pattern. These morphologically deceptive entities harbored diagnostic difficulties in the past because the diagnosis depended solely on histology. However, they are now diagnosed with more certainty by virtue of immunohistochemical and molecular studies. We experienced a case of EWD-PTC, which had been diagnosed as adenomatous hyperplasia 20 years ago and manifested recurrence with lymph node (LN) metastasis 7 years later. After another 7 years of follow-up, a new thyroid lesion had developed, diagnosed as FVPTC, with LN metastasis of EWD-PTC. One year later, the patient developed metastatic FVPTC in the skull. Immunohistochemically, the EWD-PTC was focally positive for CK19, negative for galectin-3, and focally negative for CD56. Molecular studies revealed BRAF-positivity and K-RAS negativity. The FVPTC in the left thyroid showed both BRAF and K-RAS negativity. In conclusion, EWD-PTC and FVPTC share similar histologic features, but they are different tumors with different molecular biologic and clinical manifestations. A large cohort of EWD-PTC should be included in further study.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/pathology/secondary ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular/pathology/*secondary ; Female ; Galectin 3/analysis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia/pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology ; Skull Neoplasms/*secondary ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology

Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid rarely manifests itself as a distant metastatic lesion, and, when present, is usually found in flat bones. A soft tissue metastasis is extremely rare, and synchronous metastases to the bone and soft tissue is not reported in the literature so far. We report such a case of a 42-yr-old male, who presented with a goiter, scalp and forearm soft tissue swellings, and, fine needle aspiration cytology of all these swellings revealed a follicular neoplasm. A wide excision of the forearm swelling was carried out and the histopathology was consistent with features of metastatic follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. The main stay of treatment is surgical resection of the primary tumor. The various modalities of treatment of metastasis is discussed with a review of literature.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*pathology/surgery ; Adult ; Bone Neoplasms/pathology/*secondary/surgery ; Human ; Male ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology/*secondary/surgery ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Clinically detectable metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the thymus is very rare in the literature and sometimes confused with false positive uptake of Iodine
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*secondary ; Adult ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Iodine Radioisotopes/diagnostic use ; Thymus Neoplasms/*secondary ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology/radionuclide imaging/surgery ; Tomography, Emission-Computed

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; surgery ; Carcinoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Transcription Factors

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is an extremely rare tumor with a highly aggressive clinical course. We report here on a patient with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid who remains alive more than 8 years after diagnosis. A 56-year-old man presented with a hoarse voice and a rapidly progressing mass on the right side of the thyroid gland. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy without neck lymph node dissection. Histopathologic findings revealed primary squamous cell carcinoma combined with follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. The tumors metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes, thoracic spine and lung. He underwent 5000 rads of adjuvant radiotherapy to the neck. TSH suppressive therapy with L-thyroxine was administered alone rather than radioactive iodine therapy or chemotherapy. The patient's clinical course has been remarkable over the first 7 years; he has remained stable except for a transient paraplegia due to nerve compression. The patient underwent colectomy for the diagnosis of a colon cancer. Recent evaluation has revealed a new lesion in the lung; this was diagnosed as metastatic follicular carcinoma originating from the thyroid. High dose radioactive iodine therapy was administered, and he remains alive in stable condition.
Thyroidectomy ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Survival ; Spinal Neoplasms/secondary ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Lung Neoplasms/secondary ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*pathology/surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*pathology/surgery

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; radiation effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Hypoparathyroidism ; etiology ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Parathyroid Glands ; physiopathology ; Salivary Glands ; physiopathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal management and analyze the prognostic factors for follicular thyroid carcinoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 119 patients with well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma treated in our hospital from 1970 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The overall survival (OS) rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Log rank and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the prognostic factors.

RESULTSThe 5- and 10-year OS rates were 81.1% and 66.7%, respectively. The 3- , 5- and 10-year cumulative distant metastasis rates were 27.4%, 29.6% and 35.9%, respectively. The age of ≥ 45 years old was one of the most important factors affecting survival rate (P < 0.05) and an independent factor for distant matastasis.

CONCLUSIONSFollicular thyroid carcinoma has some special features such as diffuse growth and vascular tumors thrombosis and with a relatively poor prognosis. The key measure to improve local control and prognosis is radical resection. Some aggressive management such as total thyroidectomy combined with (13)1I therapy and regular follow-up should be performed to improve the survival rate and to control postoperative distant metastasis for patients ≥ 45 years old.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; Young Adult

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Transcription Factors ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the indications, safety and difficulties of one stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

METHODSA retrospective review was carried out in 36 well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients so treated from 1990 to 2004. Various incisions including H, L and modified Kocher types were selected according to the location of primary tumor and status of cervical lymph node metastasis. Either total thyroidectomy or sub-total thyroidectomy combined with bilateral neck lymph node dissection according to the principles of modified radical neck lymph node dissection: preserving the internal jugular vein, spinal accessory nerve and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

RESULTSThere was no operative death in this group. Postoperative complications included: 2 wound bleeding, 3 recurrent laryngeal nerve resection due to tumor involvement, 1 recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, 2 unilateral internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve injury, 9 unilateral external branch of superior laryngeal nerve injury, 3 unilateral accessory nerve injury, 5 unilateral sympathetic nerve injury, 2 unilateral phrenic nerve injury, 6 chylus fistula, 13 temporary hypoparathyroidism, 2 permanent hypoparathyroidism. The dissected lymph nodes were found to be positive from 0 to 21 in each patient with a mean of 8.3. Of the 36 patients: 31 had bilateral positive lymph nodes; 3 unilateral positive; 2 bilateral negative lymph nodes. The follow up period ranged from 1 to 13 years, Three patients died of distant metastasis, 1 died of cerebral vascular accident. 7 patients lost in follow-up. Totally, 25 patients are still alive, 3 patients had local relapse and were surgically treated again.

CONCLUSIONThe procedure of one-stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is safe, as it is mandatory that at least one unilateral internal jugular vein should be preserved; one unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves and accessory nerves should not be injured. Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients whose bilateral cervical lymph nodes are clinically suspected to be positive (obviously enlarged, hard, purplish grapelike lymph node) or are confirmed pathologically to be positive are indications for one-stage thyroidectomy and bilateral neck lymph node dissection. Total or sub-total thyroidectomy should be undertaken with emphasis that at least one parathyroid with blood supply should be preserved. It is of utmost importance that not only the cancer be completely resected but the function of the organs be preserved.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; secondary ; surgery ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; secondary ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; etiology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC) of the thyroid are relatively uncommon thyroid malignancies in iodine-sufficient areas. In this study we evaluated the clinical behavior, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of FTC and HCC in Korea. METHODS: This multicenter study included 483 patients with FTC and 80 patients with HCC who underwent an initial surgery between 1995 and 2006 in one of the four tertiary referral hospitals in Korea. We evaluated clinicopathological factors associated with distant metastases and recurrence during a median of 6 years of follow-up. RESULTS: HCC patients were significantly older (49 years vs. 43 years; p < 0.001) and had more lymphovascular invasions (22% vs. 14%; p = 0.03) compared with FTC patients. Distant metastases were confirmed in 40 patients (8%) in the FTC group and in two patients (3%) in the HCC group (p = 0.07). Distant metastases were significantly associated with older age, widely invasive cancer and extrathyroidal invasion. Only 14 patients (3%) had recurrent disease and there was no significant difference between FTC and HCC groups (p = 0.38). Recurrence was associated with larger tumor size and cervical lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: HCC patients were older and had more lymphovascular invasions than FTC patients. However, FTC and HCC patients had similar initial clinicopathological features. Older age, wide invasiveness and extrathyroidal invasion were independent risk factors for predicting distant metastases in FTC and HCC patients.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular/*epidemiology/secondary/surgery ; Adult ; Age Factors ; *Diet ; Female ; Humans ; *Iodine ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; *Nutritional Status ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*epidemiology/pathology/surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome