Morphological and Immunohistochemical Findings in the Diagnosis of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: A 10-Year Series

Abstract

Anaplastic carcinoma, the most aggressive and mortal type of thyroid cancer, arises from undifferentiated follicular epithelial cells. It is usually encountered in older ages. Rapidly growing mass in neck, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness and difficulty breathing are the most common presenting symptoms. 18 cases diagnosed with anaplastic carcinoma between 2011 and 2022 in our center, were evaluated. Clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical findings and survival characteristics of the cases were discussed in light of literature. Clinical and imaging findings raise suspicion for anaplastic carcinoma, but the definitive diagnosis is made histopathologically by observing the anaplastic morphology and using immunohistochemical and/or molecular tests. For these tumors which may have different histopathological appearances, carcinomas with undifferentiated features, sarcomas and lymphomas should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

• Anaplastic
• Immunohistochemistry
• Thyroid
• Undifferentiated

Anaplastik Tiroid Karsinomu Tanısında Morfolojik ve İmmünohistokimyasal Bulguların Yeri: 10 Yıllık Seri

Abstract

Tüm tiroid kanserleri içinde en agresif ve mortal seyirli kanser türü olan anaplastik karsinom, andiferansiye follikül epitel hücrelerinden kaynaklanır. Genellikle ileri yaşta ortaya çıkar. Hızlı büyüyen boyun kitlesi, yutma güçlüğü, ses kısıklığı, solunum güçlüğü en sık görülen başvuru yakınmalarıdır. 2011-2022 yılları arasında merkezimizde anaplastik karsinom tanısı almış 18 olguda klinik, histopatolojik ve immünohistokimyasal bulguların tanıdaki yeri ve sağ kalım özellikleri literatür bilgileri ışığında tartışıldı. Klinik seyir ve görüntüleme yöntemleri anaplastik karsinom için kuşku uyandırır ancak kesin tanı patolojik olarak anaplastik morfolojinin görülmesi ve yardımcı bazı immünohistokimyasal ve/veya moleküler tetkiklerin yapılması ile konur. Farklı histopatolojik görünümlere sahip olabilen bu tümörlerde andiferansiye özellikler gösteren karsinomlar, sarkomlar ve lenfomalar ayırıcı tanı içine alınmalıdır.

Keywords

• Anaplastik
• Andiferansiye
• İmmünohistokimya
• Tiroid

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