Osteoclastomalike anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. Diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a neck mass yielded cytologic specimens containing two cell populations: multinucleated giant cells and smaller, round-to-oval, undifferentiated malignant cells. The giant cells were frequently so numerous as to obscure the other cells. The FNA cytodiagnosis of a rare anaplastic thyroid carcinoma containing osteoclastic giant cells was substantiated by the subsequent exploratory surgery and biopsy specimen. Immunohistochemical staining suggested a dual origin of the two cell populations.
Berry
B
B
Department of Pathology and Surgery, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
MacFarlane
J
J
Chan
N
N
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*