Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a relatively uncommon highly malignant tumor originating from the follicular cells of the thyroid gland having a poor prognosis. It accounts for 2-5% of all thyroid carcinomas, and patients typically present with a rapidly growing anterior neck mass with aggressive symptoms. A 66-year-old male presented with dyspnea, neck pain, and voice changes. Ultrasonographic neck examination demonstrated an enlarged thyroid gland and substernal extension of the right thyroid lobe. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) from the thyroid nodule biopsy showed benign cytology. Because of symptomatic disease and radiologic malignancy doubt, operation has been done. Histopathologic examination with frozen section demonstrated anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. After total thyroidectomy, the patient is discharged. The patient died 20 days after the start of systemic treatment because of septic multiorgan failure derived from bronchopneumonic lung infection. In the evaluation of sudden growing neck masses in elderly patients, anaplastic thyroid cancer should be considered as a differential diagnosis, even if the needle biopsy is normal. © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019.