Skip to main content
Log in

Hyalinizing Trabecular Tumor of the Thyroid: An Update

  • Published:
Endocrine Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hyalinizing trabecular tumor (HTT) is a rare thyroid tumor of follicular cell origin with a trabecular pattern of growth and marked intratrabecular hyalinization. This tumor is known to share morphological and architectural similarities with paraganglioma and medullary thyroid carcinoma, as well as the nuclear features and RET/PTC1 translocations of papillary thyroid carcinoma. These tumors are not associated with RAS or BRAF mutations. Whether the presence of RET alterations in HTT are sufficient molecular proof of its relationship with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is still to be defined. Of great interest is the characteristic strong peripheral cytoplasmic and membranous staining of the tumor cells with MIB1 immunostain, not seen in any other thyroid neoplasm. Although cases of malignant HTT have been recorded, HTT should be considered a benign neoplasm or, at most, a neoplasm of extremely low malignant potential.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Carney JA, Ryan J, Goellner JR. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland. Am J Surg Pathol 11:583–91, 1987.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Sambade C, Fransilla K, Camesselle-Tejero J, Nesland J, Sobrino-Simoes M. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma: a misnomer for a peculiar tumor of the thyroid gland. Endocr Pathol 2, 83–91, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. DeLellis RA, Lloyd R, Heitz PU, Eng C, editors. WHO Classification of Tumors. Pathology and Genetics—Tumors of Endocrine Organs, IARC Press, Lyon, pp 104–105, 2004.

  4. Hirokawa M, Carney JA. Cell membrane and cytoplasmic staining for MIB-1 in hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland. Am J Surg Pathol 24:575–8, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Katoh R, Jasani B, Williams ED. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid. A report of three cases with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. Histopathology 15:211–24, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Chetty R, Beydoun R, LiVolsi VA. Paraganglioma-like (hyalinizing trabecular) adenoma of the thyroid revisited. Pathology 26:429–31, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. McCluggage WG, Sloan JM. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid: morphology and differential diagnosis. Histopathology 28, 357–62, 1996.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Schmid KW, Mesewinkel F, Bocker W. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid—morphology and differential diagnosis. Acta Med Austriaca 23:65–8, 1996.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Papotti M, Riella P, Montemurro F, Pietribiasi F, Bussolati G. Immunophenotypic heterogeneity of hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid. Histopathology 31:525–33, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Katoh R, Kakudo K, Kawaoi A. Accumulated basement membrane material in hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid. Mod Pathol 12:1057–61, 1999.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. LaGuette J, Matias-Guiu X, Rosai J. Thyroid paraganglioma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of three cases. Am J Surg Pathol 21:748–53, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Li M, Carcangiu ML, Rosai J. Abnormal intracellular and extracellular distribution of basement membrane material in papillary carcinoma and hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid: implication for deregulation of secretory pathways. Hum Pathol 28:1366–72, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Fonseca E, Nesland JM, Sobrinho-Simoes M. Expression of stratified epithelial-type cytokeratins in hyalinizing trabecular adenomas supports their relationship with papillary carcinomas of the thyroid. Histopathology 31:330–5, 1997.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rothenberg HJ, Goellner JR, Carney JA. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland: recognition and characterization of its cytoplasmic yellow body. Am J Surg Pathol 23:118–25, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Rothemberg HJ, Goellner JR, Carney JA. Prevalence and incidence of cytoplasmic yellow bodies in thyroid neoplasms. Arch Pathol Lab Med 127(6):715–7, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Goellner JR, Carney JA. Cytologic features on fine needle aspirates of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid. Am J Clin Pathol 91, 115–9, 1989.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Strong CJ, Garcia BM. Fine needle aspiration cytologic characteristics of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid. Acta Cytol 34, 359–62, 1990.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kaleem Z and Davila RM. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid. A report of two cases with cytologic histologic and immunohistochemical findings. Acta Cytol 41, 883–8, 1997.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kuma S, Hirokawa M, Miyauchi A, Kakudo K, Katayama S. Cytologic features of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid. Acta Cytol 47:399–404, 2003.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Casey MB, Sebo TJ, Carney JA. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland identification through MIB-1 staining of fine-needle aspiration biopsy smears. Am J Clin Pathol 122:506–10, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Casey MB, Sebo TJ, Carney JA. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of the thyroid gland: cytologic features in 29 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 28:859–67, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Shikama Y, Osawa T, Yagihashi N, Kurotaki H, Yagihashi S. Neuroendocrine differentiation in hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid. Virchows Arch 443:792–6, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Boerner SL, Asa SL. Hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid gland. Much ado about nothing? Am J Clin Pathol 122:495–6, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hattori H. Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is positive for MIB-1 in cell membrane and cytoplasmic staining pattern. Histopatology 40:291–3, 2002.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Leonardo E, Volante M, Barbareschi M, Cavazza A, Dei Tos AP, Bussolati G, Papotti M. Cell membrane reactivity of MIB1 antibody to Ki67 in human tumors: fact or artifact? Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 15:220–3, 2007.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Hirokawa M, Carney JA, Ohtsuki Y. Hyalinizing trabecular adenoma and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland express different cytokeratin patterns. Am J Surg Pathol 24:877–81, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Gaffney RL, Carney JA, Sebo TJ, Erickson LA, Volante M, Papotti M, Lloyd RV. Galectin-3 expression in hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid gland. Am J Surg Pathol 27:494–8, 2003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. LiVolsi VA. Hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid: adenoma, carcinoma, or a neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential? Am J Surg Pathol 24:1683–4, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lloyd RV. Hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid: a variant of papillary carcinoma? Adv Anat Pathol 9:7–11, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Cheung CC, Boerner SL, MacMillan CM, Ramyar L, Asa SL. Hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid: a variant of papillary carcinoma proved by molecular genetics. Am J Surg Pathol 24:1622–6, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Papotti M, Volante M, Giuliano A, Fassina A, Fusco A, Bussolati G, Santoro M, Chiappetta G. RET/PTC activation in hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid. Am J Surg Pathol 24:1615–21, 2000.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Salvatore G, Chiappetta G, Nikiforov YE, Decaussin-Petrucci M, Fusco A, Carney JA, Santoro M. Molecular profile of hyalinizing trabecular tumors of the thyroid: high prevalence of RET/PTC rearrangements and absence of B-raf and N-ras point mutations. Eur J Cancer 41:816–21, 2005.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Nikiforova MN, Caudill CM, Biddinger P, Nikiforov YE. Prevalence of RET/PTC rearrangements in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and papillary thyroid carcinomas. Int J Surg Pathol 10:15–22, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Chiappetta G, Toti P, Cetta F, Giuliano A, Pentimalli F, Amendola I, Lazzi S, Monaco M, Mazzuchelli L, Tosi P, Santoro M, Fusco A. The RET/PTC oncogene is frequently activated in oncocytic thyroid tumors (Hurthlecell adenomas and carcinomas), but not in oncocytic hyperplastic lesions. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:364–9, 2002.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Trovisco V, Vieira de Castro I, Soares P et al. BRAF mutations are associated with some histological types of papillary thyroid carcinoma. J Pathol 202:247–51, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Nakamura N, Carney JA, Jin L, Kajita S, Pallares J, Zhang H, Qian X, Sebo TJ, Erickson LA, Lloyd RV. RASSF1A and NORE1A methylation and BRAFV600E mutations in thyroid tumors. Lab Invest 85:1065–75, 2005.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Harach HR, Lesueur F, Amati P, Brown A, Canzian F, Kraimps JL, Levillain P, Menet E, Romeo G, Bonneau D. Histology of familial thyroid tumours linked to a gene mapping to chromosome 19p13.2. J Pathol 189:387–93, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Harach HR, Soubeyran I, Brown A, Bonneau D, Longy M. Thyroid pathologic findings in patients with Cowden disease. Ann Diagn Pathol 3:331–40, 1999.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Molberg K, Albores-Saavedra J. Hyalinizing trabecular carcinoma of the thyroid gland. Hum Pathol 25:192–7, 1994.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Gonzales-Campora R, Fuentes-Vaamonde E, Hevia-Vasquez A et al. Hyalinizing trabecular carcinoma of the thyroid gland: report of two cases of follicular cell thyroid carcinoma with hyalinizing patterns. Ultrastruct Pathol 22:39–46, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vânia Nosé.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nosé, V., Volante, M. & Papotti, M. Hyalinizing Trabecular Tumor of the Thyroid: An Update. Endocr Pathol 19, 1–8 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-007-9002-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12022-007-9002-2

Keywords

Navigation