Well Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma with Insular Component

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 1997;13(1):74-80.
Published online May 30, 1997.

Woong Yoon Chung;Jeong Yun Shim;Cheong Soo Park

Insular Component가 공존한 고분화 갑상선암

정웅윤;심정연;박정수

Abstract

We have experienced 5 cases of unusual well differentiated thyroid carcinoma with insular component during the past 5 years. 4 cases were presented with cervical masses but I case (patient 2.) was initiallty with lung and brain metastasis. The tumors from 4 cases showed invasive growths but that of 1 cases(patient 1.) showed intrathyroidal. Total thyroidectomy and cervical lymphnode dissection(CCND or RND) was performed in 4 cases but only RND was performed in spite of mediastinal metastasis of the tumor in patient 5 under the patient's choice. During the follow-up period, we also performed radical nephrectomy and metastatectomy for the kidney and iliac bone metastasis respectively, in patint 2. Microcsopically, the tumors showed the insular growth patterns, focally(less than 50%) in 3 cases and predominantly(more than 75%) in 2 cases. And the insular componentas were combined with papillary carcinoma in 2 cases and follicular carcinoma in 3 cases. Cervical lymphnode metastases were confirmed in 4 cases. Patient 2 died of disease with metastases to lung, brain, bone and kidney, 52 months after initial therapy. Patient 1, 3 and 4 are alive and have no recurrence and distant metastasis. Patient 5 is also alive with the mediastinal metastasis. In our experience, the well differentiated thyroid carcinomas with insular component showed characteristic histologic features, aggressive behavior in initial presentation and unfavorable prognosis regardless of the percentage of the insular component.

Key Words: Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma, Insular component