The columnar cell variant of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Case report and discussion of an unusually aggressive thyroid papillary carcinoma

Abstract

The columnar cell variant of thyroid papillary carcinoma is an aggressive tumor associated with widespread dissemination and a fatal outcome. We report a case of a 29-year-old white woman who presented with a large thyroid mass extending into the mediastinum with local and distant metastases. The histologic features included focal papillary growth with columnar cells and nuclear stratification. However, the histologic picture was dominated by cells with a clear to vacuolated-appearing cytoplasm similar to that seen in association with secretory-type endometrium. In addition, areas of solid growth and organoid or glandular features were also identified. This tumor followed an aggressive course with widespread metastatic disease unresponsive to all therapeutic intervention. The patient died 7 months after diagnosis. We believe this tumor represents the columnar cell variant of thyroid papillary carcinoma. This is only the second reported case of columnar cell carcinoma to occur in a female. Other than the unusual occurrence in a woman, the clinical and pathologic features of this case are similar to those previously reported, including an aggressive behavior followed rapidly by the death of the patient.