A palpable mass is noted in the right lobe of the thyroid of a 45-year-old man who visits his physician for a periodic checkup. A biopsy is performed and results in a diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Which of the following histologic features of thyroid disease would most likely be present in this biopsy specimen?
High-Yield Explanation
- Medullary carcinoma of thyroid is a calcitonin-producing tumor of C cells of thyroid contributing to amyloid deposition within tumor. OTHER OPTIONS GIVEN: - Tumor cells with "Orphan Annie" nuclei & presence of psammoma bodies are seen in papillary carcinoma of thyroid. - Infiltrates of lymphocytes with germinal center formation are seen in Hashimoto thyroiditis.