Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: The Turin proposal for the use of uniform diagnostic criteria and an algorithmic diagnostic approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Volante, M (Author) Other; Collini, P (Author) Other; Nikiforov, YE (Author) Other; Sakamoto, A (Author) Other; Kakudo, K (Author) Other; Katoh, R (Author) Other; Lloyd, RV (Author) Other; LiVolsi, VA (Author) Other; Mauro, P (Author) Other; Sobrinho Simoes, M (Author) FMUP; Bussolati, G (Author) Other; Rosai, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology

Vol. 31

Pages: 1256-1264

ISSN: 0147-5185

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 176 Citations

Scopus - 196 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-891

DOI: 10.1097/pas.0b013e3180309e6a

Abstract (EN): Poorly differentiated (PD) thyroid carcinomas lie both morphologically and behaviorally between well-differentiated and undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinomas. Following the original description of this entity, different diagnostic criteria have been employed, resulting in wide discrepancies and confusion among pathologists and clinicians worldwide. To compare lesions occurring in different geographic areas and the diagnostic criteria applied in those countries, we designed a study with a panel of internationally recognized thyroid pathologists to develop consensus diagnostic criteria for PD carcinomas. Eighty-three cases were collected from Europe, Japan, and the United States, and circulated among 12 thyroid pathologists. Diagnoses were made without any knowledge of the clinical parameters, which were subsequently used for survival analysis. A consensus meeting was then held in Turin, Italy, where an agreement was reached concerning the diagnostic criteria for PD carcinoma. These include (1) presence of a solid/trabecular/insular pattern of growth, (2) absence of the conventional nuclear features of papillary carcinoma, and (3) presence of at least one of the following features: convoluted nuclei; mitotic activity >= 3 x 10 HPF; and tumor necrosis. An algorithmic approach was devised for practical use in the diagnosis of this tumor.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9