Renal-cell carcinoma with intranuclear inclusions metastatic to thyroid: a diagnostic problem in aspiration cytology

Diagn Cytopathol. 1988;4(2):125-9. doi: 10.1002/dc.2840040209.

Abstract

A case of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibiting prominent intranuclear inclusions in a metastasis to the thyroid is presented. RCC had been treated in this patient by right nephrectomy 7 yr earlier and by left partial nephrectomy 5 yr earlier; the patient had also received radiation to the neck 4 yr earlier for carcinoma in situ of the left true vocal cord. Aspiration performed on a rapidly enlarging mass in the left lobe of the thyroid revealed both clusters of tumor cells and single tumor cells with prominent intranuclear inclusions. Definitive distinction between a primary and metastatic neoplasm was difficult on the aspiration specimen. Subsequent thyroidectomy confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma with intranuclear inclusions by histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural analysis. The differential diagnosis by aspiration cytology of thyroid neoplasms that contain intranuclear inclusions is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / secondary*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms*
  • Male
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / secondary*