Thyroid cyst wall atypia in a patient with a history of malignant melanoma: a pitfall in fine-needle aspiration cytology

Diagnostic Cytopathology
Rebecca L Johnson, Farnaz Hasteh

Abstract

We present an interesting case report from a patient with a history of desmoplastic malignant melanoma (MM), who presented with a thyroid nodule. The patient's clinical diagnosis included a benign thyroid nodule versus a primary thyroid malignancy or metastatic MM. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed highly atypical spindle cells suspicious for metastatic MM. The acellular cell block prevented further studies such as immunohistochemical analysis. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass, which showed a benign cystic thyroid nodule with an atypical cyst lining. Here, we report the presence of atypical cyst-lining cells in a patient with diagnosis of MM. The atypical cytology of the cyst-lining cells has been reported in the English literature; however, presence of significant cytological atypia, especially in a patient with a history of another malignancy, can be problematic. The cytopathologist should be aware of this entity and its diagnostic pitfalls.

References

Feb 1, 1997·Cancer·M K NakhjavaniJ A van Heerden
Mar 24, 1998·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·J D LinY S Ho
Apr 25, 2000·Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology·L K RodriguesM Kashani-Sabet
Mar 10, 2001·Diagnostic Cytopathology·M A de LimaE O Marinho
Jul 27, 2002·The American Journal of Dermatopathology·Joe A Chorny, Ronald J Barr
Jul 17, 2004·European Journal of Surgical Oncology : the Journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology·K WoodC Harmer
May 16, 2007·ANZ Journal of Surgery·Jen-Der LinTzu-Chieh Chao
Apr 10, 2009·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·Mi-Jung LeeMin Jung Kim
Oct 23, 2009·American Journal of Clinical Pathology·Edmund S CibasUNKNOWN NCI Thyroid FNA State of the Science Conference
Nov 6, 2009·Thyroid : Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association·Edmund S Cibas, Syed Z Ali
Jan 29, 2010·The Lancet Oncology·Rajmohan MuraliRichard A Scolyer
Aug 31, 2010·Modern Pathology : an Official Journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc·Jay S RavalAlyssa M Krasinskas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.