• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.117-121
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• 1998

Cytologic features of a poorly differentiated "insular" carcinoma of the thyroid are presented. In fine needle aspiration cytology, the aspirates were highly cellular and tumor cells were arranged in loose cluster or singly dispersed on focally necrotic background. Occasional microfollicles were evident. The tumor cells had poorly defined, scanty cytoplasm and most of the nuclei were fairly uniform with coarse chromatin pattern. A few large pleomorphic cells were also noted. The cytologic findings of the present case were correlated well with the histologic findings, which showed typical insular pattern and the presence of uniform cells with occasional pleomorphism.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1994

A case of poorly differentiated "insular" carcinoma of the thyroid is presented and discussed with references to the literature. Un fine needle aspiration cytology of our case, the aspirates were highly cellular with tumor cells appearing as dispersed isolated cells as well as in dense clusters and syncytial formations. Occasional microfollicles containing colloid were evident. Most of nuclei were fairly uniform with considerable variability and a few showed definite atypical features. Nuclear grooving was additional features. Necrotic debris was not seen. Our cytologic findings were correlated well with histology, confirming typical insular pattern of tumor cells with the presence of occasional pleomorphic cells and papillary carcinoma-like features. With much attention to cytological features of insular carcinoma, it would be possible to diagnose a preoperative suggestive diagnosis, even though not definitive.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.178-182
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• 2005

Insular carcinoma(poorly differentiated thyroid cancer) is defined as a aggressive, follicular-derived thyroid carcinoma with behavior intermediate between follicular/papillary and anaplastic carcinomas. It was described by Carcangiu in 1984, but its prognosis, classification and the origin is not yet clear. And preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology of insular carcinoma has not been satisfactory. We experienced a case of advanced thyroid insular carcinoma with invasion of the sternum. So we intend to present the case with a review of the related literatures.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 1994

Fine needle aspiration cytologic features of a case of insular carcinoma of the thyroid in a 23-year-old woman who presented a palpable neck mass is described. The aspirate showed cellular smear arranged in trabeculae, solid or loose clusters, and microfillicles in necrotic background. The tumor cells had uniform, small round, hyperchromatic nuclei. The chromatin was finely granular, and nuclear membrane was smooth. Nucleoli were not discernible. Nuclear pleomorphism was minimal. The cytoplasm was usually scanty, pale, poorly outlined, and almostly amphophilic. Sometimes paranuclear cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted. final diagnosis was confirmed by total thyroidectomy as insular carcinoma.