Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 27, Issue 3 180-184, Copyright © 1997 by Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research
WS Wang, JH Liu, TJ Chiou, RK Hsieh, CC Yen and PM Chen
A 28-year-old woman was admitted to our Hospital with a chief complaint of
progressive gingival swelling and loosening of teeth over about a year.
According to past history, she had received total thyroidectomy 2 years
previously due to thyromegaly. The thyroidectomy specimen was at first
interpreted as 'poorly differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid'. One year
ago, she began to be aware of gingival swelling and loosening of teeth. A
gum biopsy was taken and the pathologic features were similar to her
'thyroid carcinoma'. Subsequent investigations, including
immunohistochemical stain, showed the gum was heavily infiltrated with
histiocyte-like Langerhans' cells which were positive for S-100 protein.
Ultrastructural examination of the cells under electron microscope revealed
many typical intra-cytoplasmic Birbeck granules. Langerhans' cell
histiocytosis was diagnosed. Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with thyroid
involvement is extremely rare and may run a relatively indolent course.
Even on a retrospective examination, it may easily be confused with poorly
differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. We suspect that this error may
have been made on other occasions and that the occurrence of this condition
may be underreported.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Langerhans' cell histiocytosis with thyroid involvement masquerading as thyroid carcinoma
Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan.
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