ANAPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION OF MEDULLARY-THYROID CANCER

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (2) , 249-255
Abstract
A detailed microscopic study of a human medullary thyroid carcinoma with loss of amyloid production and argyrophilic cellular granules combined with the prevalence of giant multinucleated cells in part of the primary tumor and metastatic deposits is presented. These changes are believed to give evidence of anaplastic dedifferentiation. Similar cases to that reported are reviewed with the conclusion that not only differentiated thyroid cancers but medullary thyroid cancers as well are capable of anaplastic transformation. However rare medullary thyroid cancers are, they should be diagnosed and radically treated so as to prevent their fatal anaplastic transformation.