Age-associated C-cell hyperplasia in the human thyroid.
C cells in 26 normal human thyroids from forensic autopsies were identified by immunoperoxidase staining for calcitonin. C-cell concentrations and total C-cell numbers were determined with the use of morphometric techniques. There was great variation in C-cell density within a given gland and among individuals, although C cells tended to concentrate about one third of the way down the vertical axis of the lateral lobes. Densities of 1-2000 cells/cu mm were found in the third and later decades. In addition there was a statistically significant (P less than 0.01) positive Spearman correlation between total C-cell numbers and age in males. C-cell hyperplasia appears to be an age-related phenomenon that may have physiologic significance and must be taken into consideration in evaluation of thyroid glands for the diagnosis of premalignant lesions of C cells.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology