Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thyroid

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Metastatic to the Thyroid Gland

“…Four of these five patients had macroscopic residual tumor at time of excision and died of their disease within 16 months posttreatment. 4 Yavuz et al reported a case of primary MFH of the thyroid: Adjuvant radiotherapy was pursued for recurrence following subtotal thyroidectomy and modified right neck dissection, and the patient remained free of disease 5 years posttreatment. 2 Haugen reported one case of postoperative radiotherapy for MFH metastatic to the thyroid (from an atrial primary) following left hemithyroidectomy with positive surgical margins.…”

“…In a review of 12 cases of primary MFH of the thyroid, all patients presented with a rapidly enlarging neck mass, with or without compressive symptoms. 4 Unless a history of MFH already exists, it is difficult to clinically differentiate this pathology from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.…”

“…Regional lymph node metastases are uncommon [15% (8/54) of primary MFH of the head and neck; 25% (3/12) primary MFH of the thyroid]. 1,4 Therefore, neck dissection is only indicated for clinically or radiographically positive lymph nodes.…”

“…5,6,8 Therefore, immunohistochemical staining for markers, including vimentin, alpha-1antichymotrypsin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and CD-68 (versus anaplastic thyroid carcinoma-associated markers vimentin, cytokeratin and CK-18) aid in diagnosis. 3,4 The primary treatment of MFH is wide local excision. Margin status, size, depth and histopathologic features of the tumor are important prognostic factors.…”

“…Seven percent of cases of primary MFH of the head and neck occur in the thyroid with 21 reported cases. [1][2][3][4] MFH metastasizing to the thyroid is even more rare with only five documented cases noted in the literature. [5][6][7][8] MFH more commonly metastasizes to the lung, lymph nodes, liver and bones.…”