Three cases of macrofollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

The macrofollicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (MFPTC) is a well-established entity with characteristic large follicles containing pale colloid and lined by cells with nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In this study, we present three cases of MFPTC, along with a brief review of the literature. For all three of our cases, the histology of the resected specimen showed predominantly macrofollicular structures lined by cells with nuclear characteristics of PTC. Immunohistochemically, the three cases show positivity for galactin-3, cytokeratin-19, and HBME-1. These cases will help us in understanding the distinction from other benign and malignant follicular lesions of the thyroid, which is of utmost importance. The key to diagnosis is a high-power examination of any macrofollicular lesion of the thyroid.