Special variants of differentiated thyroid cancer: does it alter the extent of surgery versus well-differentiated thyroid cancer?
BACKGROUND
Recently, more aggressive variants of so-called well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas have been identified such as the tall cell variant, columnar cell variant, diffuse sclerosing variant, insular carcinoma, and Hürthle cell (oncocytic, oxyphilic) carcinomas.


METHODS
An evidence-based review was performed to identify the optimal treatment recommendations for these thyroid cancers of intermediate differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Although some variation exists within the group, aggressive surgical and medical management are recommended for these neoplasias. Any such recommendations should, however, be viewed in the light of the fact that the current literature mainly consists of case reports, case series, and limited reviews. The clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surgical and medical management for these thyroid cancers with intermediate differentiation are discussed.
Carling
Tobias
T
Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Ocal
Idris T
IT
Udelsman
Robert
R
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods