Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology - A report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare malign ant tumor that needs to be distinguished from other neoplasms. CASES: Two males aged 65 and 68 years presented with an enlarged right lobe of the thyroid. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed a cold nodule. Clinically ma lignancy was suspected. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed numerous clus ters and isolated malignant cells, dyskeratotic cells and deposits of eosin ophilic granular keratin material. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed. Hi stologic findings confirmed the cytologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcin oma. CONCLUSION: Primary squamous cell carcinoma gf the thyroid is a rare tumor. FNA findings of this tumor were not reported before. FNA study cannot help to differentiate primary from metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the th yroid.