Thyroidectomy in a 62-year-old man yields a papillary carcinoma composed of cells whose height is at least three times their width, with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and prominent nuclear features of papillary carcinoma. This variant is significant because it:
- A Is more aggressive, with higher rates of extrathyroidal extension and recurrence ✓
- B Has a better prognosis than conventional papillary carcinoma
- C Is always encapsulated and never metastasizes
- D Is defined by RET/PTC rearrangement and occurs mainly in children
Correct answer: A. Is more aggressive, with higher rates of extrathyroidal extension and recurrence
Explanation
The tall cell variant of papillary carcinoma requires tumor cells at least three times taller than wide with oncocytic cytoplasm. It behaves more aggressively than conventional papillary carcinoma, with greater extrathyroidal extension, nodal metastasis, and recurrence risk, and it is strongly associated with BRAF V600E mutation. It typically affects older patients, unlike the radiation-associated childhood tumors that carry RET/PTC rearrangements.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.