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Laryngotracheal presentation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with squamous differentiation: seven cases demonstrating an under‐recognized diagnostic pitfall
Author(s) -
Toner Mary,
Banville Niamh,
Timon Conrad I
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12408
Subject(s) - pathology , medicine , thyroid , biopsy , anaplastic carcinoma , squamous carcinoma , carcinoma , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , thyroid carcinoma , head and neck cancer , cancer
Aims To describe a series of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas that mimicked primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ( HNSCC ) by virtue of both morphology and clinical presentation. Methods and results Seven cases were identified in a 15‐year period where a biopsy of an airway lesion that appeared to be squamous cell carcinoma was, in fact, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The tumours had squamous and/or spindle cell morphology, with only the squamous component being apparent in the airway biopsy. Some tumours arose within metaplastic ( n = 3) or atypical ( n = 3) epithelium, supporting the diagnosis of a primary mucosal tumour. Positive PAX 8 ( n = 5) and TTF ‐1 ( n = 4) staining was identified. Conclusions An endotracheal presentation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with squamous morphology may be misdiagnosed as a primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. PAX 8 and TTF ‐1 expression are helpful in making the distinction, but the problem lies in suspecting a thyroid carcinoma in what appears to be a straightforward diagnosis of HNSCC .