Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the thyroid: Report of a subtype of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Yi-Yin Huang^a, Yung-Kang Wu^b

^a Department of Endocrinology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taichung, Taiwan
^b Department of Surgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taichung, Taiwan

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Abstract
Thyroid sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare malignancy. It manifests as a rapidly growing neck mass in the elderly. The histologic findings are characterized by an admixture of anaplastic epithelial and mesenchymal components. It can be easily confused with other thyroid malignancies, such as sarcoma, lymphoma, and medullary carcinoma, both clinically and cytopathologically. Immunohistochemical stain studies are essential to confirm the diagnosis. The prognosis is poor and survival beyond 1 year is very rare. We report a man aged 79 years with a rapidly growing large thyroid mass.

Keywords
Anaplastic carcinoma; Sarcomatoid carcinoma; Thyroid neoplasm