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Spindle cell metaplasia arising in thyroid adenoma: Characterization of its pathology and differential diagnosis

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation volume 29, pages 168–171 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Spindle cell metaplasia in thyroid adenoma or carcinoma is rare and its pathological features are not well characterized. Distinction of this entity from medullary or anaplastic carcinoma has an important clinical implication. We encountered a case of thyroid follicular adenoma associated with spindle cell metaplasia. It showed “tumor in tumor appearance” and neoplastic spindle cells were positive for thyroglobulin, thyroid transcription factor-1, vimentin and focally chromogranin A and somatostatin (SS). MIB-1 index was <1%. Ultrastructure of the spindle cells was reminiscent of follicular cell origin. From the findings from our case, spindle cell metaplasia appears to be a benign clinical entity, suggestive of multidirectional differentiation of follicular cells.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan

    Y. Shikama, H. Mizukami, K. Okamoto & S. Yagihashi MD

  2. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Japan

    Y. Shikama

  3. Surgery, Kuroishi City Hospital, Kuroishi, Japan

    T. Sakai & N. Yagihashi

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  1. Y. Shikama
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  2. H. Mizukami
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  3. T. Sakai
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  4. N. Yagihashi
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  5. K. Okamoto
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  6. S. Yagihashi MD
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Correspondence to S. Yagihashi MD.

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Shikama, Y., Mizukami, H., Sakai, T. et al. Spindle cell metaplasia arising in thyroid adenoma: Characterization of its pathology and differential diagnosis. J Endocrinol Invest 29, 168–171 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03344092

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03344092

En]Keywords

  • Thyroid tumors
  • spindle cell neoplasm
  • metaplasia
  • thyroid adenoma
  • thyroid carcinoma
  • immunohistochemistry