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An Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma of the Giant-Cell Type from a Mediastinal Ectopic Thyroid Gland

Authors :
Daniel Nguyen
Nyein Nyein Htun
Beverly Wang
Bonnie Lee
Cary Johnson
Source :
Diagnostics, Vol 13, Iss 18, p 2941 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, aggressive form of thyroid carcinoma with a mean survival of less than 6 months. Ectopic thyroid tissue can be present in the mediastinum due to faulty embryogenesis with improper descent. Primary thyroid malignancies may arise from this ectopic tissue. A 90-year-old male with a history of prostatic adenocarcinoma, hypothyroidism, and occupational and therapeutic exposure to radiation presented with a rash on his chest. A review of the dermatopathology and excised mediastinal specimen revealed rare papillary foci that tested positive for thyroid markers from a background of poorly differentiated components. Molecular analysis confirmed a BRAF V600E mutation in the specimen. The final diagnosis was anaplastic thyroid carcinoma of the giant-cell type. Given the atrophic cervical thyroid tissue in the patient’s neck with no evidence of previous surgery, this carcinoma was believed to arise from ectopic mediastinal tissue associated with cutaneous and bony metastasis. In conclusion, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive and rare thyroid malignancy that can arise from ectopic thyroid tissue in the mediastinum and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of primary undifferentiated mediastinal malignancies with bony involvement.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20754418
Volume :
13
Issue :
18
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Diagnostics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.8595c8cac434bf89ee39de593abfacf
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13182941