anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is seen most frequently in individuals over 60 years of age with an equal incidence in both sexes. It is an aggressive tumour which may arise from dedifferentiation of a papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. It accounts for about 3% of thyroid carcinomas.
Local invasion occurs to the trachea and to the oesophagous and the patient may present with dyspnoea or dysphagia respectively. Almost 80% of patients have a history of long-standing goitre.
Prognosis is poor.
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