Online ISSN: 2149-3189
2015
Monthly
Nicaea Medical Publishing
Türkiye

Cytological misdiagnosis of high-grade medullary thyroid carcinoma with papillary-like nuclear features: A case report

Ali Mızrak
DOI
https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1670211
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon form of thyroid cancer that arises from the parafollicular C cells. In this case report, a high-grade medullary thyroid carcinoma is discussed, which was initially diagnosed as papillary carcinoma due to the presence of papillary-like nuclear features in the cytological evaluation. A 65-year-old female presented to the ear, nose, and throat department with a palpable neck mass. Based on the cytological features of the fine needle aspiration (FNA), a diagnosis of 'malignant, papillary carcinoma', (Bethesda category 6) was made. After surgery, histological and immunohistochemical results led to a diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Papillary carcinoma-like nuclear features may also be observed in medullary thyroid carcinoma and some cases could be mistakenly interpreted as papillary carcinoma in cytological examination.
Keywords
Cytology, intranuclear pseudo inclusions, medullary thyroid carcinoma, rearrangement during transfection (RET) gene mutation
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How to Cite
1.
Mızrak A. Cytological misdiagnosis of high-grade medullary thyroid carcinoma with papillary-like nuclear features: A case report. Eur Res J. 2025;11(6):1249-1253. doi:10.18621/eurj.1670211
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Vol. 11 No. 6 (2025)

Article Information

  • Article Type Case Report
  • Submitted February 21, 2026
  • Published November 3, 2025
  • Issue Vol. 11 No. 6 (2025)
  • Section Case Report
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