The thyroid Hürthle (oncocytic) cell and its associated pathologic conditions: a surgical pathology and cytopathology review.
BACKGROUND
Hürthle cells are eosinophilic, follicular-derived cells that are associated with a variety of nonneoplastic and neoplastic thyroid lesions. The differential diagnosis of Hürthle cell lesions is quite broad.


OBJECTIVE
To review the pathologic conditions associated with Hürthle cells in the thyroid and to discuss pathology of thyroid lesions associated with oncocytic cytology.


METHODS
A variety of thyroid nonneoplastic (autoimmune thyroiditis, multinodular goiter) and neoplastic conditions (Hürthle cell adenoma, Hürthle cell carcinoma) are associated with Hürthle cell cytology. In addition, there are several thyroid neoplasms that should be considered when one observes a Hürthle cell neoplasm in the thyroid (oncocytic variant of medullary carcinoma, several variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma).


CONCLUSIONS
Oncocytic cytology is seen in a variety of thyroid conditions that are associated with a broad differential diagnosis and care must be used for accurate diagnosis. Newer molecular-based techniques may be useful for further classification of thyroid neoplasms with oncocytic pathology.
Montone
Kathleen T
KT
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. kmontone@mail.med.upenn.edu
Baloch
Zubair W
ZW
LiVolsi
Virginia A
VA
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D024862:Oxyphil Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology