A thyroidectomy case with a surprising pathologic result: three different birds in one nest

• Published in: The American journal of the medical sciences Vol. 331; no. 2; p. 97
• Main Authors: Isildak, Mehlika, Aksoy, Duygu Yazgan, Terzi, Aysen, Tezel, Gaye Guler, Bayraktar, Miyase
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2006
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma, Papillary - pathology; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary - surgery; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - pathology; Adenoma, Oxyphilic - surgery; Aged; Biopsy, Fine-Needle; Female; Humans; Thyroid Neoplasms - pathology; Thyroid Neoplasms - surgery; Thyroid Nodule - pathology; Thyroid Nodule - surgery; Thyroidectomy; Treatment Outcome
• DOI: 10.1097/00000441-200602000-00018
• ISSN: 0002-9629

Neoplasms of the thyroid include types that range from indolent, localized papillary carcinomas to lethal anaplastic disease. Hurthle cell neoplasm is a histopathologic subtype that signals poor prognosis. Herein, we present the case of a 72-year-old female patient with multinodular goiter who, although fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed a benign result, underwent thyroid surgery because of the diameter of the largest nodule. Histopathologically, the neoplasm was diagnosed as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma on one lobe and Hurthle cell neoplasm on the other, whereas the remainder of the thyroid showed a typical pattern of colloidal goiter, all of which are not commonly encountered in one patient. Although multinodular goiter is usually acknowledged as a sign of a benign process, its risk of malignancy is no less than that of a solitary thyroid nodule. The age of the patient, the duration of the disease, or the number of the nodules should not mislead the physician, nor affect the therapeutic approach.