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Secondary tumors involving the thyroid gland: A multi‐institutional analysis of 28 cases diagnosed on fine‐needle aspiration
Author(s) -
HooKim Kim,
Gaitor Jennifer,
Lin Oscar,
Reid Michelle D.
Publication year - 2015
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/dc.23331
Subject(s) - medicine , thyroid , malignancy , fine needle aspiration , carcinoma , pathology , biopsy , radiology
Background Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is routinely used to evaluate primary thyroid lesions (PTLs), however, its role in diagnosing secondary thyroid neoplasms (STNs) has not been extensively studied. The goal was to examine the clinical and cytopathologic features of STNs diagnosed on FNA. Methods The clinico‐pathologic features of 28 STNs were analyzed. All PTLs, lymphomas, and locally invasive tumors were excluded. Results There were 28 STNs (0.18% incidence) out of 15,800 thyroid FNAs (12 males, 16 females, 32 − 85 years), all occurring metachronously (3 weeks−20 years, average 78.3 months) comprising 24 (85.7%) metastatic carcinomas (14 [50%] renal; 4 [14.3%] head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, 3 [10.7%] breast, and 1 [3.6%] colorectal, uterine serous carcinoma, and lung adenosquamous carcinoma, respectively), 3 sarcomas (10.7%) and 1 melanoma (3.6%). Conclusions STNs are rare and diverse tumors which may occur decades after primary malignancy. Renal carcinomas are the most common. Prior history of malignancy, high index of suspicion, and attention to key distinguishing cytologic clues are critical for accurate diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:904–911. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.