C-cell Nodules in Adult Human Thyroid: A Common Autopsy Finding

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Abstract
This study was designed to examine the morphologic, features and distribution of calcitonin-producing cells (C-cells) in normal adults and in a general autopsy population. Random or serial sections from thyroid glands in forensic and general autppsies were examined by an immunoperoxidase stain for calcitonin to identify C-cells. Six glands out of 30 cases contained large C-cell nodules (85–343 C-cell nuclei per nodule). Five of the nodules were in patients over 50 years of age. C-cell nodules in thyroid sections may represent age-related hyperplasia or a normal variation of ontogeny. This study underscores the importance of serially sectioning the thyroid to evaluate nodujar C-cell hyperplasia in preneoplastic or nonneoplastic functional disorders.

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