Papillary Hurthle cell tumor of thyroid - Report of a case with a cytomorphologic approach to diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Hurthle cells are founded often in fine needle aspirates of the thyroid from nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Papillary Hurthle cell tumors of the thyroid are composed of oxyphilic cells with a prominent papillary component. Papillary Hurthle cell carcinoma is a relatively uncommon type of thyroid carcinoma. CASE: A 42-year-old man had two asymptomatic nodules (2.5 and 3.5 cm) in the left lobe and one (2.5 cm) in the right lobe of the thyroid. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of the tumor in the left lobe showed large cells in monolayers and papillary clusters with moderate to abundant eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm with sharp borders, a granular nuclear enlargement with pleomorphism and single nucleoli. Histologic examination showed capsular invasion and infiltration of vessels. CONCLUSION: The cytologic appearance of papillary Hurthle cell carcinoma is not specific but can be suspected on fine needle aspiration.