The purpose of this review is to investigate the value of the calcification in differentiating malignant thyroid neoplasm and the molecular mechanisms for the formation of the calcification. Many published reports have proved the presence of calcifications in thyroid neoplasm and calcified nodules in these studies are more frequently malignant than noncalcified nodules. Through viewing the related references, we found that psammoma bodies (PBs), Runx2, osteocalcin, osteopontin, CD44v6 play an important role in the molecular mechanisms in the formation of the calcification in PTC. But further study is required for elucidating the mode of action.
Calcinosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study immunohistochemical expression of GADD153 and assess its usefulness as markers in the differential diagnoses in follicular tumors of the thyroid.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of 34 cases of follicular thyroid adenomas (FTA), 46 cases of follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC), 29 cases of follicular variant papillary carcinomas (FVPC).

RESULTS(1) GADD153 was expressed in cell nucleus with positive or strong positive expression in FTC, and no or weak expression in FTA and FVPC. The positive expressions of GADD153 were present in 38 of 46(82.6%) in FTC, 11 of 34(32.4%) in FTA and three of 29(10.3%) in FVPC, the positive expression rate in FTC was obviously higher than that in FTA and in FVPC, the differences were statistically significant (χ² = 20.80 and 37.48; P < 0.01). (2) CK19, Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and HBME-1 were all expressed in the cytoplasm, the positive expressions of CK19, Gal-3 and HBME-1 were present in 54.3% (25/46), 67.4% (31/46) and 58.7% (27/46) in FTC; 50.0% (17/34), 29.4% (10/34) and 32.4% (11/34) in FTA; 100% (29/29), 93.1% (27/29) and 89.7% (26/29) in FVPC, the differences were statistically significant as well (χ² = 21.20 and 8.22; P < 0.01). (3) According to the expressions of CK19, Gal-3, HBME-1 and GADD153, we divided the results into low expression group (0 or 1+) and high expression group (2+ or 3+), the sensitivity and the specificity were calculated. in FTA, the sensitivity were 26.5%, 8.8%, 2.9% and 11.8%; the specificity were 50.7%, 52.0%, 54.7% and 58.7%. in FTC, the sensitivity were 19.6%, 26.1%, 23.9% and 65.2%; the specificity were 41.3%, 57.1%, 62.0% and 92.1%. in FVPC, the sensitivity were 96.6%, 82.8%, 79.3% and 3.4%; the specificity were 77.5%, 81.3%, 85.0% and 57.5%.

CONCLUSIONSThe sensitivity and the specificity of GADD153 expression are well for diagnosing FTC, and CK19, Gal-3, HBME-1 are well for FVPC. The four markers when used in combination, are better to identify the follicular tumors of the thyroid.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Galectin 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology

Synovial sarcoma is a rare but distinct soft tissue neoplasm, most commonly occurring in para-articular regions of the extremities of young adults and also occurring in the head and neck region. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of primary synovial sarcoma of the thyroid has been previously reported. Here, we report a 15-yr-old man who had a chief complaint of a palpable neck mass. The neck computed tomography revealed a relatively well-demarcated solid mass in the left thyroid gland. After fine needle aspiration cytology, total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection were performed. Grossly, the mass was covered by the same capsule as the thyroid gland, measuring 6X5X5 cm in dimensions and weighing 78 gm. The cut surface showed a well demarcated, lobulated, grayish tan, and rubbery solid tumor. Histologically, this tumor was a biphasic synovial sarcoma. Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, genetic studies, and cytologic findings were all consistent with synovial sarcoma. When synovial sarcomas arise in this unusual site, recognition and differential diagnosis become more difficult. The differential diagnosis of a spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation is very difficult due to their similar clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features. Ultrastructural and cytogenetic studies for synovial sarcoma are necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Sarcoma, Synovial/diagnosis/metabolism/*pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis/metabolism/*pathology ; Vimentin/metabolism

Calcitonin ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chromogranin A ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Thyroglobulin ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transcription Factors

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Translocation, Genetic

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

Adult ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Paraganglioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Transcription Factors ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

A 50-yr-old male presented a thyroid mass with dysphasia and hoarseness. He underwent total thyroidectomy and neck node dissection. Pathologically, the tumor had two distinct tumor components with intermingled areas: follicular variant of papillary carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma composed of columnar cells, mucocytes, and squamoid cells showing solid and cystic lesion. Several small cysts lined by benign ciliated columnar epithelia suggesting that this tumor had originated from solid cell nest were seen around the tumor. By immunohistochemistry, columnar cells and squamoid cells in mucoepidermoid carcinoma were positive for cytokeratin but negative for thyroglobulin, TTF-1 and calcitonin. Positivity of p63 was seen in squamoid cells and basal cells of cysts. Some mucocytes are CEA positive. Tumor cells of papillary carcinoma are positive for TTF-1, thyroglobulin but negative for CEA, calcitonin and p63.
Calcitonin/metabolism ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/*diagnosis/pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism ; Thyroglobulin/metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Transcription Factors/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features and differential diagnosis of dyshormonogenetic goiter.

METHODSThe clinical features, histopathologic findings and immunohistochemistry of four cases of dyshormonogenetic goiter were reviewed.

RESULTSAmongst the cases of dyshormonogenetic goiter studied, three were females and one male. The age of disease onset ranged from 6 to 12 years and the age at operation ranged from 13 to 28 years. Three patients presented with symptoms of hypothyroidism and one patient had normal thyroid function. On gross examination, the thyroid was multinodular and covered by fibrous capsule. Histologically, three patterns were observed. The predominant pattern was microfollicular/trabecular, with hyperplastic follicular cells associated with scanty colloid material. The second pattern was macrofollicular, the follicular cells were cuboid in shape, with inconspicuous mitotic figures. The third pattern was microcystic, with papillary component frequently seen. No normal intervening thyroid parenchyma was found. All the patients were on long-term thyroxine replacement therapy after operation and remained well.

CONCLUSIONSDyshormonogenetic goiter is considered as a form of thyroid hyperplasia due to enzymatic defects in hormone synthesis. The architectural polymorphism and cellular atypia may mimic thyroid neoplasms and cause difficulties in differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Goiter ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Thyroid Gland ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyroiditis ; pathology ; Thyrotropin ; metabolism ; Young Adult