Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Morphologic Findings and PAX-8 Expression in Cytology Specimens

作者：Rivera Michael; Shang Cristina; Gerhard Rene; Ghossein Ronald; Lin Oscar^*

来源：Acta Cytologica, 2010, 54(5): 668-672.

• aspiration biopsy, fine-needle
• carcinoma, anaplastic
• PAX-8
• thyroid cancer

Objective
To evaluate the morphologic findings most encountered in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs) and evaluate for the expression of PAX-8.
Study Design
The cytology specimens from 21 cases of ATC were evaluated for the following several cytologic criteria, cell morphology, pleomorphism, presence or absence of multinucleated cells, neutrophilic infiltrate and well-differentiated component. Immunohistochemical studies for PAX-8 were performed on cell blocks in selected cases.
Results
The most common morphology present was epithelioid, followed by spindle, multinucleated giant cell and rhabdoid, with 75% demonstrating more than 1 cell morphology. Marked pleomorphism (81%), neutrophilic infiltrate (90%) and necrosis (63%) were frequent. No nuclear grooves, colloid or well-differentiated component was idenrifled in any case. Immunocytochemical stains for PAX-8 were negative in 5 cases in which a cell block was available.
Conclusion
ATC is a tumor with diverse morphologic characteristics, and more than 1 cell morphology is usually present A neutrophilic infiltrate is a common finding and represents a clue to the correct diagnosis. (Acta Cytol 2010;54:668-672)

• 出版日期2010-10