Cribriform-Morular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma: Association with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature

Abstract

We describe a rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the Cribriform-Morular Variant (C-MV). A handful of cases have been described in the literature of this entity. They exhibit the morphologic features of a distinctive papillary neoplasm along with solid, cribriform, and squamoid-morular areas. The cribriform and morular features make this a separate entity which could be mistaken for a high grade aggressive thyroid neoplasm. These lesions are usually associated with familial adenomatosis polyposis (FAP) but rarely may be sporadic. We report three cases that we have encountered.

Keywords

• thyroid neoplasm
• papillary thyroid carcinoma
• cribriform
• squamoid
• morular