Undifferentiated/Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: A cytological case report

Abstract

Undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma is a relatively uncommon highly malignant tumor originating from the follicular cells of thyroid gland having poor prognosis. It accounts for 2%–5% of all thyroid carcinomas and patients typically present with a rapidly growing anterior neck mass with aggressive symptoms. A 70-year-old female presented with diffuse neck swelling measuring 6 cm × 5 cm for 1-month duration which was associated with mild dyspnea. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the swelling revealed a cellular smear comprising of highly pleomorphic follicular epithelial cells arranged in clusters and singly scattered with a background of bizarre tumor giant cells and inflammatory cells.

Keywords

• Anaplastic
• cytology
• thyroid carcinoma
• undifferentiated