AGGRESSIVE THYROID-CARCINOMA WITH PREDOMINANT CRIBRIFORM GROWTH-PATTERN - CASE-REPORT

Thyroid carcinomas demonstrate a morphological and biological spectrum front highly differentiated to undifferentiated (anaplastic) tumours, and the poorly differentiated carcinomas probably occupy an intermedi ate position, being characterized by a more solid structure. The prese nt thyroid carcinoma, which occurred in a 77 year old male, showed a d istinct cribriform growth pattern with marked apoptosis and high-grade features such as nuclear pleomorphism, frequent mitotic figures, tumo ur necrosis and vascular invasion, suggesting the presence of a poorly differentiated carcinoma. Metastatic spread to the regional lymph nod es and lungs were present at the time of diagnosis, and the patient di ed after 15 months with progressive disease. It should be further stud ied whether cribriform structure may represent an independent feature of aggressive clinical behaviour.