Cytological characteristics of thyroid papillary carcinoma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis

Abstract

Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is caused by APC gene germline mutation. FAP is often associated with thyroid papillary carcinoma in young women. A new variant of thyroid papillary carcinoma called cribirform-morular variant (CMV) has been proposed, because almost all reported cases of thyroid carcinoma associated with FAP show histological features of CMV not common in sporadic thyroid carcinoma.
Cases: Thyroid tumors were diagnosed in 2 woman, both 20, who suffered from FAP. Cytological characterization of aspiration materials is as follows: 1) tubular structure with tall columnar cells, 2) solid cell clusters with polygonal or spindle cells, and 3) cribriform pattern with cuboidal cells.
Conclusion: The coexistence of the above findings indicate the CMV of thyroid carcinoma and suggest FAP even if the first manifestation is a thyroid tumor.