Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

Jump to navigation Jump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Anaplastic thyroid cancer from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

CDC on Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology in the news

Blogs on Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

Directions to Hospitals Treating Anaplastic thyroid cancer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Anaplastic thyroid cancer pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]

Overview

Anaplastic thyroid cancer arises from cells of the thyroid, which are normally involved in production and secretion of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Anaplastic thyroid tumor is always considered as stage IV. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of follicular thyroid cancer include P53 and BRAF.

Pathogenesis

  • Anaplastic tumors have a high mitotic rate and lymphovascular invasion. It rapidly invades surrounding tissues (such as the trachea).
  • Most patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer have distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis because of the rapid growth and aggressive nature of this type of cancer.
  • Common sites of metastasis include the lungs, pleura, bones, and brain.

Genetics

  • Anaplastic thyroid cancer has been associated with the following genetic mutations:[1][2]

Associated Conditions

Gross Pathology

  • Macroscopic features of anaplastic thyroid cancer include:
    • Unencapsulated, fleshy, tan-white tumor
    • Soft-tissue infiltration of the neck

Microscopic Pathology

  • Three types of histologic variety will be expected in anaplastic thyroid cancer:
  • Spindle cell
  • Giant cell
  • Squamoid cell
  • Features include:
    • Cytologically malignant:
    • Huge nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio
    • Mitoses
    • Presence or absence of necrosis

Immunohistochemistry

  • Anaplastic thyroid cancer may be positive for the following markers:
    • Pankeratin (AE1/AE3)
    • High molecular weight keratins
    • TTF-1
    • PAX8
    • P53
    • B-catenin

References

  1. Patel KN, Shaha AR (2006). "Poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer". Cancer Control. 13 (2): 119–28. PMID 16735986.
  2. Quiros RM, Ding HG, Gattuso P, Prinz RA, Xu X (June 2005). "Evidence that one subset of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas are derived from papillary carcinomas due to BRAF and p53 mutations". Cancer. 103 (11): 2261–8. doi:10.1002/cncr.21073. PMID 15880523.

Template:WikiDoc Sources