Oncocytic papillary carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (Warthin-like tumour) of the thyroid: a distinct entity with favourable prognosis.
OBJECTIVE
We report the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 12 cases of a recently recognized entity, oncocytic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PC) with lymphoid stroma (Warthin-like tumour).


RESULTS
The cases were retrieved from the surgical pathology files of our departments. There were 11 female patients and one male patient; they ranged in age from 45 to 85 years (mean 64.2 years). The immunohistochemical profile demonstrated positivity of tumour cells for cytokeratins, thyroglobulin, Leu-M1 and anti-mitochondrial antigen. S100 protein-positive stromal dendritic/Langerhans cells were uniformly present. Polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) detection revealed no significant positive signal. MIB-1 labelling index was low, compatible with that of 'classical' PC.


CONCLUSIONS
Warthin-like tumour is a rare variant of PC, occurring predominantly in elderly women. Its histological features are distinct and well recognizable, differentiating this tumour from a more aggressive tall-cell variant of PC. The apparent indolent behaviour seems to be consistent with the presence of dendritic/Langerhans cells and with low proliferative activity. A possible role of EBV in pathogenesis of this lesion was not proven. Further studies are necessary to determine the prognosis and metastatic potential of this neoplasm.
Ludvíková
M
M
Department of Pathology and Biology, Charles University Medical Faculty, Plzen, Czech Republic. ludvikova@fnplzen.cz
Ryska
A
A
Korabecná
M
M
Rydlová
M
M
Michal
M
M
D000235:Adenolymphoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000032:analysis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C407642:Leu-M1 antigen; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D009418:S100 Proteins; D007633:Keratins; D013954:Thyroglobulin