Thyroid Nodules: Clinical, Pathologic and Pathophysiologic Correlates Flashcards

1
Q

Thyroid nodules are present in about ________ percent of the population.

A

50% - 60%

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2
Q

The risk of thyroid cancer developing from a nodule is about ______.

A

10%

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3
Q

What is the most common malignant thyroid cancer?

A

Papillary

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4
Q

Papillary carcinoma has a(n) ____________ prognosis.

A

excellent

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5
Q

Which kind of thyroid cancer can display psammoma bodies?

A

Trick question–there are two kinds of thyroid cancer that can have psammoma bodies:

  • medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • thyroid papillary carcinoma
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6
Q

Fixed nodules are more likely to be ___________.

A

malignant

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7
Q

What three steps are needed in the evaluation of a thyroid nodule?

A

TSH
Ultrasound
Free-needle evaluation

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8
Q

What neoplasm presents with the “Orphan Annie eye” nuclei?

A

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

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9
Q

Describe some characteristics of the most common thyroid cancer.

A

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

  • is well differentiated
  • has an excellent prognosis
  • is multifocal
  • spreads through lymphatics
  • has cleared out nuclei
  • has nuclear grooves
  • has psammoma bodies
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10
Q

Describe anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

A
  • has a poor prognosis
  • most often occurs in the elderly
  • recapitulates spindle cells, squamous cells, and giant cells
  • rapid growth
  • can hemorrhage
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11
Q

____________ thyroid cancer will stain thyroglobulin negative.

A

Medullary

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12
Q

Why is it called “papillary” carcinoma?

A

Because the cells grow papillae-like projections, which can be seen under the microscope

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13
Q

What kind of molecule is RET?

A

A surface tyrosine kinase receptor

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14
Q

What three cellular mutations are common in papillary thyroid carcinoma?

A

RET
Ras
BRAF

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15
Q

Follicular thyroid carcinoma is commonly (50%) caused by the _______________ fusion.

A

Pax8-PPARy

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