Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland: Features and associated pathology

Abstract

Introduction: Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid gland, which is clinically manifested as painless and (im)palpable node in the glandular parenchyma. The aim: Analysis of demographic features of the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, localization and histomorphology characteristics, as well as associated pathology. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 38 patients, to whom pathohistological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma was given, in the period from January 2011 to December 2015, at the Center for Pathology and Histology, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad. Results: Pathohistologically, 38 papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland were verified, where 71.05% were females. The average age of patients was 50 years. In our study, the average tumor size was 12.4 mm, while it was some larger in male patients (13.7 mm), compared to female (11.1 mm). Tumor node was more frequent in the right lobe (34.21%). In 34.21% of patients coexistence of the goiter was found, 18.42% had associated Hashimoto's thyroiditis, while 10.52% had associated adenoma of the thyroid gland. Conclusion: Papillary carcinoma is 2.5-3 times more frequent in females, usually in the second half of the 5th decade of life, while the males suffer at some later ages. The largest number of patients belong to stage T1, while the most frequent associated disease is goiter. Thyroidectomy with pathohistological TNM staging is imperative for continued adequate clinical treatment and monitoring of patients.

Keywords

• papillary carcinoma
• thyroid gland
• goiter
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis