title: Carcinoma of the neck showing thymic-like elements (CASTLE): report of a case and review of the literature.
abstract: Carcinoma showing thymic-like elements (CASTLE) is a rare tumor affecting thyroid and neck soft tissues, which has to be distinguished from squamous cell and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, because it has a better prognosis. We report a new case of CASTLE which occurred in a patient submitted to total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection. The tumor stained positively for CD5, which seems to be the most useful marker in the differential diagnosis. By the analysis of the 18 cases reported in literature, total thyroidectomy with selective modified neck dissection should be the treatment of choice and radiotherapy should be considered for patients with positive nodal status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, II University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Gaia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Fina
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: Eugenio Biagio
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rubino
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uggeri
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*