thyroid gland undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma

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Disease Overview

A primary carcinoma of the thyroid gland composed of undifferentiated cells. The malignant cells demonstrate evidence of epithelial differentiation, either by immunohistochemistry or electron microscopic studies. Microscopically, in the majority of cases there is a mixture of spindle, epithelioid, and giant cells. The vast majority of the patients present with a rapidly enlarging neck mass. The clinical course is usually aggressive.


Synonyms

  • Dedifferentiated thyroid gland carcinoma
  • THAP
  • anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
  • anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid gland
  • anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid
  • anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid gland
  • anaplastic thyroid cancer
  • anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
  • anaplastic thyroid gland carcinoma
  • metaplastic thyroid gland carcinoma
  • pleomorphic thyroid gland carcinoma
  • sarcomatoid thyroid gland carcinoma
  • thyroid cancer, anaplastic
  • thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic
  • thyroid gland carcinosarcoma
  • thyroid gland undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma
  • thyroid gland undifferentiated carcinoma
  • undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid gland cancer
  • undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid gland carcinoma
  • undifferentiated carcinoma of the thyroid
  • undifferentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland
  • undifferentiated carcinoma of thyroid
  • undifferentiated carcinoma of thyroid gland
  • undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma
  • undifferentiated thyroid gland carcinoma
  • undifferentiated thyroid tumor
  • undifferentiated thyroid tumour

GARD Disease Summary

The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Orphanet

Orphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.

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