1 Flashcards
The majority of solitary nodules of the thyroid are either
benign adenomas or localized, non-neoplastic conditions (for example, a dominant nodule in a multinodular goiter, simple cysts, or foci of thyroiditis).
Carcinomas of the thyroid percentage
less than 1% of solitary thyroid nodules.
more likely to be neoplastic
Solitary nodules
very young (<20 years) or very old (>70 years) individuals
Nodules that take up radioactive iodine in imaging studies (hot nodules) are more likely to be
benign
Adenomas of the thyroid are benign neoplasms derived from
follicular epithelium.
Follicular adenomas usually are
solitary
Although the vast majority of adenomas are
nonfunctional
toxic adenoma
produce thyroid hormones, causing clinically apparent thyrotoxicosis
follicular adenomas are not
forerunners to carcinomas
forerunners to carcinomas
follicular adenoma
carcinomas
pathogenesis of toxic adenomas
somatic mutations in tsh receptors allow follicular cells to secrete thyroid hormone independent of TSH stimulation. (thyroid autonomy)
The result is symptomatic hyperthyroidism with a “hot” thyroid nodule seen on imaging studies.
somatic mutations in the TSH receptor signaling pathway are present in slightly
over half of toxic adenomas
minority of nonfunctioning follicular adenomas (<20%) exhibit mutations in
RAS or other other genes, genetic alterations that are shared with follicular carcinomas.
MORPHOLOGY thyroid adenoma
solitary, spherical lesion that compresses the adjacent nonneoplastic thyroid. The neoplastic cells are demarcated from the adjacent parenchyma by a well-defined, intact capsul
microscopic examination thyrohyoid adenoma
constituent cells are arranged in uniform follicles that contain colloid. Occasionally, the neoplastic cells acquire brightly eosinophilic granular cytoplasm (oxyphil or Hürthle cell change)
adenomas occasionally exhibit
focal nuclear pleomorphism, atypia, and prominent
nucleoli (endocrine atypia)
hallmark of all follicular adenomas is the presence of
intact well- formed capsule encircling the tumor.
Most adenomas of the thyroid manifest as
painless nodules, often discovered during a routine physical examination.
Larger masses may produce local symptoms such as
difficulty in swallowing.
Individuals with toxic adenomas may present with features of.
thyrotoxicosis
Essential techniques used in the preoperative evaluation of suspected adenomas are
ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy.
definitive diagnosis of thyroid adenoma can be made only after careful … because…
careful microscopic examination of the resected specimen
of the need for evaluating capsular integrity,
Suspected adenomas of the thyroid are therefore removed surgically to
exclude malignancy.
Thyroid adenomas carry an excellent
prognosis and do not recur or metastasize.