Korean J Cytopathol.  2003 May;14(1):17-21.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Insular Carcinoma of the Thyroid

• Choi KU
• Kim JY
• Lee JS
• Lee CH

Abstract

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid(ICT) is an uncommon thyroglobulin-producing neoplasm, intermediate between well differentiated and anaplastic carcinoma. Only a few publications have addressed the fine needle aspiration cytologic(FNAC) findings from ICT. We experienced a case histologically diagnosed as ICT and with preoperative FNAC in a 52-year-old woman. The FNAC displayed scanty colloid and abundant monomorphic follicular cells presented singly, in small loose aggregates, and in cohesive trabecular or acinar clusters. Intact insulae of tumor cells were also identified. Necrosis and mitosis were rare. Tumor cells showed round and monomorphic nuclei, finely granular chromatin, and inconspicuous nucleoli. When insular structure is identified in thyroid FNAC specimen, ICT should be included in the differential diagnosis. Herein we discuss and review the cytologic criteria for separation of ICT from other thyroid neoplasms.

Keyword

Insular carcinoma; Thyroid gland; Fine needle aspiration cytology

MeSH Terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle*
Carcinoma
Chromatin
Colloids
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Mitosis
Necrosis
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms
Chromatin
Colloids