Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anaplastic and Other Forms of Thyroid Carcinoma

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Thyroid Diseases

Part of the book series: Endocrinology ((ENDOCR))

  • 1842 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter describes the more relatively rare thyroid malignancies other than the well-differentiated thyroid cancers and medullary thyroid carcinoma that are discussed above in their specific chapters. Included in this section are the separate entities of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, primary thyroid lymphoma, teratoma of the thyroid, squamous cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, sarcoma, and the SETTLE (spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like elements) tumor. Aspects of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathology, and treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, and external radiation are discussed. Most of these tumors are quite poorly differentiated, and unless diagnosed and treated aggressively early, the prognosis is bleak, because the therapeutic armamentarium is relatively limited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 449.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akaishi J, Sugino K, Kitagawa W, et al. Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes of 100 cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid. 2011;21:1183–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alzouebi M, Goepel JR, Horsman JM, Hancock BW. Primary thyroid lymphoma: the 40 year experience of a UK lymphoma treatment centre. Int J Oncol. 2012;40(6):2075–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arabi M, Dvorak R, Smith LB, Kujawski L, Gross MD. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in primary thyroid lymphoma with coexisting lymphocytic thyroiditis. Thyroid. 2011;21(10):1153–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baloch ZW, Solomon AC, LiVolsi VA. Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma and sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid gland: a report of nine cases. Mod Pathol. 2000;13:802–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Besic N, Gazic B. Sites of metastases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: autopsy findings in 45 cases from a single institution. Thyroid. 2013;23:709–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Booya F, Sebo TJ, Kasperbauer JL, Fatourechi V. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: report of ten cases. Thyroid. 2006;16:89–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brignardello E, Palestini N, Felicetti F, Castiglione A, Piovesan A, Gallo M, et al. Early surgery and survival of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: analysis of a case series referred to a single institution between 1999 and 2012. Thyroid. 2014;24:1600–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley NJ, Burch WM, Leight GS. Malignant thyroid teratoma in the thyroid of an adult. A case report and a review of the literature. Surgery. 1986;100:932–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burman KD, Ringel MD, Shmookler BM. Miscellaneous and unusual tumors of the thyroid gland. In: Wartofsky L, Van Nostrand D, editors. Thyroid cancer: a comprehensive guide to clinical management. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2016 (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Carbone PP, Kaplan HS, Musshoff K, Smithers DW, Tubiana M. Report of the committee on Hodgkin’s disease staging classification. Cancer Res. 1971;31(11):1860–1.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chan JM, Bilodeau E, Celin S, Nikiforov Y, Johnson JT. Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Head Neck. 2013;35:E346–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JS, Lai G, Hsueh S. Malignant thyroid teratoma of an adult: a long-term survival after chemotherapy. Am J Clin Oncol. 1998;21:212–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CY, Tseng HS, Lee CH, Chan WP. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland with eggshell calcification: sonographic and computed tomographic findings. J Ultrasound Med. 2010;29:1667–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheuk W, Jacobson AA, Chan JK. Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE): a distinctive malignant thyroid neoplasm with significant metastatic potential. Mod Pathol. 2000;13:1150–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conzo G, Polisten A, Calo PG, Bononi P, Gambardella C, Mauriello C, Tartaglia E, et al. Efficacy of combined treatment for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: results of a multiinstitutional retrospective analysis. Int J Surg. 2014;12 Suppl 1:S178–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Del Rio P, Cataldo S, Sommaruga L, Corcione L, Guazzi A, Sianesi M. A rare case of thyroid haemangiosarcoma. Chir Ital. 2007;59:747–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Derringer GA, Thompson LD, Frommelt RA, Bijwaard KE, Heffess CS, Abbondanzo SL. Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid gland: a clinicopathologic study of 108 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2000;24(5):623–39.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Djalilian HR, Bradley L, Maisel RH. Malignant teratoma of the thyroid: review of literature and report of a case. Am J Otolaryngol. 2000;21:112–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doria R, Jekel JF, Cooper DL. Thyroid lymphoma: the case for combined modality therapy. Cancer. 1994;73(1):200–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dumke AK, Pelz T, Vordermark D. Long-term results of radiotherapy in anaplastic thyroid cancer. Radiat Oncol. 2014;9:90.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Folpe AL, Lloyd RV, Bacchi CE, Rosai J. Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation: a morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic study of 11 cases. Am J Surg Path. 2009;33:1179–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graff-Baker A, Roman SA, Thomas DC, Udelsman R, Sosa JA. Prognosis of primary thyroid lymphoma: demographic, clinical, and pathologic predictors of survival in 1,408 cases. Surgery. 2009;146(6):1105–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grushka JR, Ryckman J, Mueller C, Roessingh AB, Walton JM, Vil DS, Laberge J-M, Bernard C, Nguyer V-H, Puligandla PS. Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like elements of the thyroid: a multi-institutional case series and review of the literature. J Pediatr Surg. 2009;44:944–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu KF, Lin YS, Hsieh CB, Yu JC, Duh QY, Sheu LF, Jen YM, Shih ML. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thyroid: review of the literature with two new cases. Thyroid. 2008;18:51–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu K-T, Yu X-M, Audhya AW, Jaume JC, Lloyd RV, Miyamoto S, Prolla TA, Chen H. Novel approaches in anaplastic thyroid cancer therapy. Oncologist. 2014;19:1148–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Huang C, Wang L, Wang Y, Yang X, Li Q. Carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation of the thyroid (Castle). Pathol Res Pract. 2013;209:662–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang HS, Perez DA, Orloff LA. Comparison of positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and ultrasound in staging and surveillance of head and neck and thyroid cancer. Laryngoscope. 2009;119:1958–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ito KI, Hanmura T, Murayama K, et al. Multimodality therapeutic outcomes in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: improved survival in subgroups of patients with localized primary tumors. Head Neck. 2012;34:230237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaffe ES. The 2008 WHO classification of lymphomas: implications for clinical practice and translational research. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2009;2009:523–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jang KS, Min KW, Jang SH, Plk SS, Tae K, Jang SJ, Park MH. Primary synovial sarcoma of the thyroid gland. J Korean Med Sci. 2007;22(Suppl):S154–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jonak C, Troch M, Mullauer L, Niederle B, Hoffmann M, Raderer M. Rituximab plus dose-reduced cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, vincristine, and prednisolone are effective in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the thyroid. Thyroid. 2010;20:425–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Junor E, Paul J, Reed N. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: 91 patients treated by surgery and radiotherapy. Eur J Surg. 1992;18:83–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim E, Bae TS, Kwon Y, Kim TH, Chung KW, Kim SW, Ro J, Lee ES. Primary malignant teratoma with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor component in thyroid gland: a case report. J Korean Med Sci. 2007;22:568–71.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kinshuck AJ, Goodyear PW, Lancaster J, Roland NJ, Jackson S, Hanlon R, et al. Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing thyroid cartilage and thyroid gland invasion by squamous cell carcinoma in laryngectomy patients. J Laryngol Otol. 2012;126:302–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klyachkin ML, Schwartz RW, Cibull M, Munn RK, Regine WF, Kenady DE, et al. Thyroid lymphoma: is there a role for surgery? Am Surg. 1998;64(3):234–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laing RW, Hoskin P, Hudson BV, Hudson GV, Harmer C, Bennett MH, et al. The significance of MALT histology in thyroid lymphoma: a review of patients from the BNLI and royal marsden hospital. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 1994;6(5):300–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lam KY, Cy L, Liu MC. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland: an entity with aggressive clinical behaviour and distinctive cytokeratin expression profiles. Histopathology. 2001a;39:279–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lam KY, Lui MC, Lo CY. Cytokeratin expression profiles in thyroid carcinomas. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2001b;27:631–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindahl F. Sarcoma of the thyroid gland: twenty-two cases in Denmark 1943–1968. Dan Med Bull. 1976;23:103–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez JI, Gaafar A, Garmendia M, Velasco V, Ortega FJ, del Cura JL. Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid gland: cytohistological findings of a case. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther. 2008;1:62–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lowe NM, Loughran S, Slevin NJ, Yap BK. Anaplastic thyroid cancer: the addition of systemic chemotherapy to radiotherapy led to an observed improvement in survival – a single centre experience and review of the literature. Sci World J. 2014;67:674583.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIver B, Hay ID, Giuffrida DF, et al. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a 50 year experience at a single institution. Surgery. 2001;130:1028–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller TP, Dahlberg S, Cassady JR, Adelstein DJ, Spier CM, Grogan TM, et al. Chemotherapy alone compared with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for localized intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. N Engl J Med. 1998;339(1):21–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Misra RK, Mitra S, Yadav R, Bundela A. Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation: a case report and review of literature. Acta Cytol. 2013;57:303–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Monroe MM, Sauer DA, Samuels MH, Gross ND. Coexistent conventional mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid (MECT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009;135:720–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munoz J, Sanchez BE, Wang D. Histiocytic sarcoma of the thyroid. Am J Hematol. 2012;87:531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nachalon Y, Stem-Shavit S, Bachar G, Shvero J, Limon D, Popovtzer A. Aggressive palliation and survival in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;141:1128–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nam M, Shin JH, Han BK, Ko EY, Ko ES, Hahn SY, et al. Thyroid lymphoma: correlation of radiologic and pathologic features. J Ultrasound Med. 2012;31(4):589–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nath V, Parks GE, Baliga M, Hartle EO, Geisinger KR, Shenoy V. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid with concomitant papillary carcinoma: comparison of findings on fine-needle aspiration biopsy and histology. Endocr Pathol. 2014;25:427–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niitsu N, Okamoto M, Nakamura N, Nakamine H, Bessho M, Hirano M. Clinicopathologic correlations of stage IE/IIE primary thyroid diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Ann Oncol. 2007;18(7):1203–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onal C, Li YX, Miller RC, Poortmans P, Constantinou N, Weber DC, et al. Treatment results and prognostic factors in primary thyroid lymphoma patients: a rare cancer network study. Ann Oncol. 2011;22(1):156–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ota H, Ito Y, Matsuzuka F, Kuma S, Fukata S, Morita S, et al. Usefulness of ultrasonography for diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid. Thyroid. 2006;16(10):983–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poniecka A, Ghorab Z, Arnold D, Khaled A, Ganjel-Azar P. Kaposi’s sarcoma of the thyroid gland in an HIV-negative woman: a case report. Acta Cytol. 2007;51:421–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prichard RS, Lee JC, Gill AJ, Sywak MS, Fingleton L, Robinson BG, Sidhu SB, Delbridge LW. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid: a report of three cases and postulated histogenesis. Thyroid. 2012;22:205–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quiroga-Garza G, Lee JH, El-Naggar A, Black JO, Amrikachi M, Zhai QJ, Ayala AG, Ro JY. Sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma with eosinophilia of the thyroid: more aggressive than previously reported. Human Pathol. 2015;46:725–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rawal A, Finn WG, Schnitzer B, Valdez R. Site-specific morphologic differences in extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2007;131(11):1673–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sangalli G, Serio G, Zampatti C, Lomuscio G, Colombo L. Fine needle aspiration cytology of primary lymphoma of the thyroid: a report of 17 cases. Cytopathology. 2001;12(4):257–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sarda AK, Bal S, Arunabh, Singh MK, Kapur MM. Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid. J Surg Oncol. 1988;39:175–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savvides P, Nagaish G, Lavertu P, et al. Phase II trial of sorafenib in patients with advance anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. Thyroid. 2013;23:600–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Segerhammar I, Larsson C, Nilsson IL, et al. Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland: treatment and outcome over 13 years at one institution. J Surg Oncol. 2012;106:981–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silbermann R, Mendelson IR. Teratoma of the neck: report of two cases and review of the literature. Arch Dis Child. 1960;35:159–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smallridge RC, Copland JA. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: pathogenesis and emerging therapies. Clin Oncol. 2010;22:486–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smallridge RC, Ain KB, Asa SL, Bible KC, Brierley JD, Burman KD, et al. American Thyroid Association guidelines for management of anaplastic thyroid cancer. Thyroid. 2012;22:1104–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith N, Nucera C. Personalized therapy in patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer: targeting genetic and epigenetic alterations. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100:35–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sugitani I, Hasegawa Y, Sugasawa M, Tori M, Higashiyama T, Miyazaki M, et al. Super-radical surgery for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: a large cohort study using the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma research consortium of Japan database. Head Neck. 2014;36:328–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swaak-Kragten AT, de Wilt JH, Schmitz PI, et al. Multimodality treatment for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma- treatment outcome in 75 patients. Radiother Oncol. 2009;92:100–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Syed MI, Stewart M, Syed S, Dahill S, Adams C, McLellan DR, Clark LJ. Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland: primary or secondary disease? J Laryngol Otol. 2011;125:3–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tennvall J, Lundell G, Wahlberg P, et al. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: three protocols combining doxorubicin, hyperfractionated radiotherapy and surgery. Br J Cancer. 2002;86:1848–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thieblemont C, Mayer A, Dumontet C, Barbier Y, Callet-Bauchu E, Felman P, et al. Primary thyroid lymphoma is a heterogeneous disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002;87(1):105–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas L, Lai SY, Dong W, Geng L, Dadu R, Regone RM, Cabanillas ME. Sorafenib in metastatic thyroid cancer: a systematic review. Oncologist. 2014;19:251–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson DR, Rosai J, Heffess CS. Primary thyroid teratomas. A clinicopathologic study of 30 cases. Cancer. 2000;88:1149–58.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tong GX, Hamele-Bena D, Liu JC, Horst B, Ramotti F. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of primary osteosarcoma of the thyroid: report of a case and review of the literature. Diagn Cytopathol. 2008;36:589–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Treglia G, Bongiovanni M, Paone G, Ceriani L, Giovanella L. Metastatic undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma of the thyroid gland evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Clin Nucl Med. 2015;40:e208–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsang RW, Brierly JD, Asa SL, Sturgeon JF. Malignant teratoma of the thyroid: aggressive chemoradiation therapy is required after surgery. Thyroid. 2003;13:401–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang TS, Ocal IT, Oxley K, Sosa JA. Primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid gland. Thyroid. 2008;18:425–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe N, Noh JY, Narimatsu H, Takeuchi K, Yamaguchi T, Kameyama K, et al. Clinicopathological features of 171 cases of primary thyroid lymphoma: a long-term study involving 24553 patients with Hashimoto’s disease. Br J Haematol. 2011;153(2):236–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weber AL, Randolph G, Aksoy FG. The thyroid and parathyroid glands. CT and MR imaging and correlation with pathology and clinical findings. Radiol Clin N Am. 2000;38:1105–29.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wenig BM, Adair CF, Heffess CS. Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid gland: a report of six cases and a review of the literature of follicular epithelial derived tumor. Hum Pathol. 1995;26:1099–108.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wissmeyer M, Weidner S, Muggli B, Weimann R, Junengling FD, Krause T. FDG uptake in metastatic spreading mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid. Clin Nucl Med. 2007;32:383–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yau T, Lo CY, Epstein RJ, et al. Treatment outcomes in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: survival improvement in young patient s with localized disease treated by combination of surgery and radiotherapy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2008;15:2500–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yu L, Yang SJ. A case of primary histiocytic sarcoma arising from the thyroid gland. Pathol Oncol Res. 2010;16:127–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Leonard Wartofsky

Authors
  1. Leonard Wartofsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leonard Wartofsky .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Paolo Vitti

  2. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

    Laszlo Hegedüs

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Wartofsky, L. (2018). Anaplastic and Other Forms of Thyroid Carcinoma. In: Vitti, P., Hegedüs, L. (eds) Thyroid Diseases. Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45013-1_23

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45013-1_23

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45012-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45013-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation