Comprehensive Literature Review: Recent Advances in Diagnosing and Managing Patients with Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Figure 2

These slides illustrate the various histologic features of well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (WDTCs), poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs), and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATCs).

(a)   A papillary carcinoma (magnified 40x). This slide shows well-differentiated papillae, crowded nuclei, and traces of sclerosis. Other features include nuclear grooving (2 arrows) and “Orphan Annie” nuclei (arrowhead)

(b) A poorly differentiated carcinoma (magnified 10x). This slide shows some papillary features in the left upper quadrant, as well as some features of solid and insular patterns, representing a transition point between a well-differentiated carcinoma and an anaplastic carcinoma

(c) A poorly differentiated carcinoma (magnified 40x). This slide shows tumor cells with small, hyperchromatic nuclei, as well as increased mitotic activity and a nesting pattern (encircled)

(d) An anaplastic carcinoma (magnified 40x). This slide shows hyperchromatic nuclei with marked variations in size and shape (pleomorphism) (3 arrows); diffuse, destructive infiltration; and desmoplasia