Premium
Cytology of columnar‐cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Author(s) -
Jayaram Gita
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0339(200004)22:4<227::aid-dc5>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - columnar cell , pathology , medicine , thyroid , papillary carcinoma , cytology , carcinoma , anatomy , thyroid carcinoma , epithelium
Columnar cell variant of papillary carcinoma (CCV‐PC) thyroid is a rare and aggressive tumor composed of tall columnar cells that form papillae, glands and solid structures. This paper describes fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic features in a case of CCV‐PC occurring in the right thyroid lobe of a 27‐year‐old female. Smears showed tall columnar cells in monolayered, three‐dimensional, acinar and occasional papillary clusters. Nuclei were oval or elongated and monomorphic. Nuclear pseudo‐stratification, resembling that seen in respiratory epithelial cells, was present in some of the cell clusters. Occasional cells showed squamous or Hurthle cell metaplasia. Nuclear grooves and intra‐nuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were not seen. Sections of the right lobectomy specimen showed an well‐encapsulated CCV‐PC with capsular and vascular permeation. Tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma (TCV‐PC) can be distinguished from CCV‐PC by the oxyphilia of the tumor cells and the absence of nuclear pseudo‐stratification. Colorectal and endometrial adenocarcinomas metastatic to the thyroid may be difficult to distinguish from CCV‐PC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:227–229. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.