obsolete anaplastic carcinoma

Anaplastic Carcinoma: A Rare and Aggressive Form of Cancer

Anaplastic carcinoma, also known as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), is a rare and highly aggressive form of cancer that affects the thyroid gland. It is considered to be the final stage of thyroid tumor development, accounting for less than 2% of all thyroid cancer cases [10][11].

Characteristics and Symptoms

Anaplastic carcinoma typically presents with a short duration history of a rapidly enlarging neck mass, with symptoms secondary to local invasion and metastasis. Patients are usually elderly with a history of goiter and present with a rapidly growing neck mass [8]. The tumor characteristically invades locally and metastasizes early, making it difficult to treat [13].

Prognosis and Treatment

The prognosis for anaplastic carcinoma is poor, with a median overall survival (OS) of patients ranging from 4-6 months. Treatment options are limited, and the disease often progresses rapidly despite aggressive therapy [10][11]. Well-differentiated tumors (papillary and follicular thyroid cancer), on the other hand, are highly treatable and usually curable [15].

Rare Histological Subtypes

Anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma is a very rare histological subtype of pancreatic cancer, which is characterized by a more aggressive course than for conventional ductal adenocarcinoma. Studies of APC are limited and include mainly case descriptions or tests of very small groups of patients [4]. In this regard, the presented observation is an example of a rare and poorly understood disease.

References

[1] The meaning of DESCRIPTION is an act of describing; specifically : discourse intended to give a mental image of something experienced. (Search result 1)

[2] Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma typically presents with a short duration history of a rapidly enlarging neck mass, with symptoms secondary to local invasion and metastasis. (Search result 8)

[3] The prognosis for anaplastic carcinoma is poor, with a median overall survival (OS) of patients ranging from 4-6 months. (Search result 10)

[4] Anaplastic pancreatic carcinoma is a very rare histological subtype of pancreatic cancer, which is characterized by a more aggressive course than for conventional ductal adenocarcinoma. (Search result 4)

[5] Well-differentiated tumors (papillary and follicular thyroid cancer), on the other hand, are highly treatable and usually curable. (Search result 15)

Based on the available information, it appears that anaplastic thyroid cancer is still a relevant topic in modern medicine.

However, if we were to consider "obsolete" anaplastic carcinoma, it would likely refer to the disease as it was understood and described in older medical literature. In this case, I'll provide some insights based on the context provided:

• According to search result [5], advanced ATC (anaplastic thyroid cancer) has typical clinical manifestations, which may include a rapidly enlarging thyroid mass.
• Search result [10] mentions that most patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer have a bulky neck tumor with associated symptoms such as cervicodynia, dyspnea, dysphagia, hoarseness, and cough.

It's worth noting that these symptoms are still relevant today for patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. However, if we were to consider "obsolete" anaplastic carcinoma, it would likely refer to the disease as it was understood and described in older medical literature.

In this case, some possible signs and symptoms of obsolete anaplastic carcinoma might include:

• A rapidly enlarging thyroid mass (as mentioned in search result [5])
• Cervicodynia (neck pain) (search result [10])
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath) (search result [10])
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) (search result [9])
• Hoarseness (search result [10])
• Cough (search result [10])

Please keep in mind that these symptoms are not unique to obsolete anaplastic carcinoma and may still be relevant today for patients with the disease.

References:

[5] by D Giuffrida · 2000 · Cited by 301 [9] by PC Iyer · 2018 · Cited by 211 [10] by K Oishi · 2017 · Cited by 16

Diagnostic Tests for Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that requires prompt diagnosis to initiate effective treatment. The following diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose ATC:

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB): This is the most effective test for determining if a thyroid mass is cancerous or not, with a 97% accuracy rate [5]. FNAB involves inserting a thin needle into the thyroid nodule to draw out a small amount of cells that will be examined under a microscope.
• Core needle biopsy: This type of biopsy uses a larger needle to collect more tissue for examination. It may be used when FNAB is inconclusive or when a core needle biopsy is necessary for further diagnosis [9].
• Surgical biopsy: In some cases, a surgical biopsy may be performed to obtain a larger sample of tissue for examination.
• Imaging studies: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans are used to assess the extent of disease spread and to guide biopsies [8]. These tests can help identify any signs of thyroid swelling or other abnormalities in the neck.

Other Diagnostic Tools

In addition to these diagnostic tests, other tools may be used to diagnose ATC, including:

• Molecular testing: This type of testing can help identify specific genetic markers that may suggest targets for treatment [10].
• High-resolution ultrasound: This imaging test can provide detailed images of the thyroid gland and surrounding tissues.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans: CT scans use X-rays to create detailed images of the body's internal structures, including the thyroid gland.

Importance of Early Detection

Early detection and diagnosis of ATC are critical for effective treatment and improved outcomes. The American Thyroid Association recommends that patients with suspected ATC undergo a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, which includes reviewing medical history, conducting physical exams, and undergoing diagnostic tests [14].

References:

[5] Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the most effective test for determining if a thyroid mass is cancerous or not. This test has a 97% accuracy rate.

[8] Imaging scans such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI are used to assess the extent of disease spread and to guide biopsies.

[9] A core needle biopsy may be used when FNAB is inconclusive or when a core needle biopsy is necessary for further diagnosis.

[10] Molecular testing can help identify specific genetic markers that may suggest targets for treatment.

[14] The American Thyroid Association recommends that patients with suspected ATC undergo a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, which includes reviewing medical history, conducting physical exams, and undergoing diagnostic tests.

Treatment Options for Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma (ATC)

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer. While there are no curative treatments available, various drug therapies have shown promise in managing the disease.

• Chemotherapy: Historically, chemotherapy has been used to treat ATC, with agents like cisplatin and doxorubicin being commonly employed [4][8]. However, resistance to these drugs can occur due to cellular extrusion of the medications.
• Targeted Therapies: More recently, targeted therapies have emerged as potential treatment options for ATC. For example, dabrafenib in combination with trametinib has been approved by the FDA for treating locally advanced or metastatic anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) with a BRAF V600E mutation [6].
• New Chemotherapy Drugs: Research has shown that new chemotherapy drugs like Trametinib and Dabrafenib are showing increasing promise for selected patients. These treatments are usually given by an oncologist, and may be used in combination with other therapies to manage the disease [5].

Current Treatment Landscape

While these treatment options hold promise, it's essential to note that ATC is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and treatment outcomes can vary significantly from person to person. As such, patients should consult with their healthcare provider to discuss the most suitable treatment plan for their individual needs.

References:

[1] Vandetanib is not mentioned in this context as it's used for Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) and not Anaplastic carcinoma. [2] Combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) is a microtubule depolymerizing drug, but its use in ATC is not specified in the provided context. [3] Triple-drug therapy with CA4P, Paclitaxel, and Manumycin or Carboplatin has been studied for various cancers, but its efficacy in ATC is not mentioned in this context.

Differential Diagnosis of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive and rare malignancy of the thyroid gland, accounting for less than 2% of all thyroid cancers. When diagnosing ATC, it's essential to consider its differential diagnosis, which includes other thyroid and non-thyroid malignancies.

List of Differential Diagnoses:

• Thyroid Lymphoma: A rare type of cancer that affects the thyroid gland, often presenting with a rapidly growing mass.
• Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Includes papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, which are less aggressive than ATC.
• Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A category of thyroid cancers that is more aggressive than well-differentiated but less so than ATC.
• Pure Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid: An exceedingly rare entity that presents similarly to ATC, but is not associated with other types of thyroid carcinoma.

Diagnostic Workup:

To confirm a diagnosis of ATC, it's crucial to corroborate clinical findings with radiological and histopathological evidence. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can play an important diagnostic role in the initial evaluation of ATC. However, parallel core biopsy may be necessary for definitive diagnosis.

Key Points:

• Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy that accounts for less than 2% of all thyroid cancers.
• Differential diagnosis includes thyroid lymphoma, well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, and pure squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid.
• Diagnostic workup involves radiology, histopathology, or cytopathology supplemented by immunohistochemistry or molecular analysis.

References:

• [1] Anaplastic transformation of the target lesion may be one of the causes of lenvatinib treatment failure in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Learning points.
• [2] For the two remaining patients, the diagnosis was high-grade malignant neoplasm with chondroblastic differentiation and Hürthle cell carcinoma.
• [3] Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the thyroid gland. Patients at our institution are treated with ...
• [4] Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare aggressive malignancy resulting in poor outcomes, including significant morbidity and mortality.
• [5] Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a clinicopathological diagnosis to be corroborated with radiology; confirmation on histopathology or cytopathology supplemented by immunohistochemistry or molecular analysis is essential Diagnostic workup (Thyroid 2021;31:337) Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)
• [6] Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare, aggressive malignant tumor accounting for 2% to 3% of all thyroid gland neoplasms.
• [7] Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of most aggressive thyroid malignancies and accounts for 1% of all thyroid cancers with increased mortality rates.