Non-gynaecological Cytology
Thyroid cytology
Anatomy and physiology of the thyroid
Thyroid nodules
Classification of thyroid neoplasms
Fine needle aspiration (FNA)
Adequacy of the specimen
Evaluation of the specimen
Terminology for reporting results
Benign conditions
The follicular lesions
Malignant tumours
Parathyroid tumours

Metastatic carcinoma

The breast, the kidney and the lungs are the most common primary sites of metastatic tumors to the thyroid. This possibility should be considered if the cytologic pattern does not conform with common neoplasms or the patient has a history of cancer elsewhere. In many cases, however, there is no clinical history of malignancy. Metastatic clear cell carcinoma of the kidney can be difficult to distinguish from a follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm; the clinical history and immunocytochemical staining are helpful to make a correct a diagnosis.

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