THYROID TUMORS

n.b. There is a high rate of incidental autopsy findings of thyroid Ca in gen'l population

I. Benign thyroid tumors

1. Divided histologically into follicular (89%), papillary, & Hurthle cell
2. All present as a single thyroid lump
3. Can produce thyrotoxicosis ("hot nodule" on T-scan)

II. Malignant

1. Glandular epithelial origin:

1. Papillary (caused by ionizing rad.; responds to TSH; fem: male 3:1; us. multicentric; mets to LN; best prognosis; tx = surgery)
2. Follicular (tx = surgery)
3. Mixed follicular (mostly fem; us. multicentric; hematog. mets)
4. Anaplastic (kills in 6 mos., doesn't make hormone)
5. C-cell (APUD cells), including medullary

2. Lymphoid origin (lymphoma)