A 42-year-old woman presents with a diffuse swelling in front of the neck. Thyroid function tests are within normal limits. A fine-needle biopsy reveals malignant cells. The tumor is excised and examined. The tumour cells are positive for calcitonin on immunohistochemistry. What is the appropriate pathologic diagnosis?
Correct Answer: Medullary carcinoma
Description: Medullary carcinoma thyroid microscopic features: Composed of polygonal to spindle-shaped cells, which may form nests, trabeculae, and even follicles. Small, more anaplastic cells are present in some tumors and may be the predominant cell type. Amyloid deposits derived from calcitonin polypeptides are present in the stroma in many cases. Calcitonin is readily demonstrable within the cytoplasm of the tumor cells as well as in the stromal amyloid by immunohistochemical methods. Electron microscopy reveals variable numbers of membrane-bound electron-dense granules within the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cell.
Category:
Pathology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now