Clinicopathological Spectrum of Anaplastic Carcinoma of Thyroid - 5 Year Experience from a Tertiary Cancer Centre.

BACKGROUND: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal solid tumors known to affect humans. Although ATC accounts for only 1% to 5% of all thyroid tumors, it portends a dismal prognosis with a median survival of 4 to 12 months from the time of diagnosis. In this retrospective review we aim to study the clinical, cytological and histopathological features and management of ATC cases reported in our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with ATC were identified from institutional database between January 2012 and December 2016. Clinicopathologic data and survival data was obtained from the medical records. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) slides and histological slides were reassessed for the predominant morphologic findings.

RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 8 were male and 14 were female. The median age at presentation was 70 years (range 50-85 years) with a median survival of 3 months. A history of pre-existing thyroid disease was present in 32% of the patients. Distant metastases were seen in 41% of patients. FNAC findings noted were pleomorphic vesicular nuclei, multinucleated giant cells, necrotic background, atypical squamoid cells, spindle cells and atypical mitosis. Majority of the patients (59%) received palliative radiotherapy as treatment.14% underwent total thyroidectomy and remaining 27% received best supportive care.

CONCLUSION: ATC remains a highly lethal disease with limited survival .FNAC can serve as a reliable tool in the early diagnosis. With several drugs in clinical trial, the therapeutic scenario of ATC might improve in future.