Thyroid tumors include those that originate from follicular cells and those that arise from parafollicular cells (C cells). Differentiated thyroid cancer, which originates from follicular cells, includes papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, oncocytic cell carcinoma (Hürthle), poorly differentiated carcinoma, and anaplastic carcinoma. The incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing significantly, with an estimated incidence in the United States of America of 53,990 cases by the year 2018. This neoplasm is listed as the most common endocrine tumor and represents approximately 3% of all malignant tumors in humans, with 75% of cases occurring in women, and two-thirds of cases occurring in people under 55 years. The increase in the prevalence/incidence of low-risk thyroid cancer over the last 10 to 20 years has required a re-appraisal of the standard one-size-fits-all approach to differentiated thyroid cancer. This adaptation to a more individualized management of the patient with thyroid cancer has led to a much more risk-adapted approach to the diagnosis, initial therapy, adjuvant therapy, and follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. This paper with review the current understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management of thyroid cancer centered on evidence-based and personalized medicine.

Emil Theodor Kocher and Theodor Billroth pioneered the surgical management of thyroid disease. Their surgical techniques, knowledge of thyroid anatomy, embryology, histology, physiology, and antisepsis practices transitioned a life-threatening operation to one with acceptable morbidity. The modern head and neck surgeon should have a meticulous surgical technique, combined with a thorough understanding of thyroid embryology and anatomy that is central to the understanding and treatment of the different disease processes of the thyroid gland and the consequences of thyroid gland surgery. In this manuscript we will be examining thyroid gland embryology, anatomy, histology, and physiology that is essential to the practicing thyroid surgeon.

HighlightsMammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a newly described carcinoma of the salivary glands.MASC is characterized by morphologic and immunohistochemical features that strongly resemble a secretory carcinoma (SC) of the breast.MASC and SC of the breast share the presence of translocation t(12;15) (p13;q25), that results in the formation of an oncogenic fusion gene ETV6-NTK3.The majority of MASC present among men and arise from the parotid gland.MASC is a low-grade carcinoma with potential for high-grade transformation.

Thyroid nodules are a major health problem worldwide. The prevalence of palpable thyroid nodules in the general population is approximately 5% in women and 1% in men living in parts of the world with sufficient iodine. High resolution neck and thyroid ultrasound can detect thyroid nodules in a significant proportion of randomly selected individuals, with higher frequencies in women and the elderly population. The importance of thyroid nodules lies in the need to rule out cancer. The majority of thyroid nodules are benign, clinically irrelevant, and can be safely managed with a good surveillance program. The detection and diagnosis of differentiated thyroid cancer have evolved over the years with increased use of high resolution cervical and thyroid ultrasound, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), molecular testing, and thyroglobulin as a serum tumor marker. An algorithm that utilizes high resolution ultrasound and, when indicated, FNAB, and molecular testing for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, facilitates a personalized, risk-based protocol that promotes high-quality care and minimizes cost and unnecessary testing. Our paper reviews the current, evidence-based management of newly diagnosed thyroid nodules.

A 57-year-old man was admitted with complaints of progressive anorexia, weight loss and right flank pain. He had been treated for basal-cell carcinoma of the skin 19 years before. On physical examination, eight moles in the face, back and left thigh were found along with palmar pits. In addition, a painful induration in his right thigh was evident. Biopsy proved that six moles were basal-cell carcinomas and the thigh mass a high-grade leiomyosarcoma. Computed tomographs revealed multiple metastases in the lungs and the liver. The patient was treated with epirubicin, with partial response, and subsequently with ifosfamide. He died 17 months after diagnosis. Whereas the world literature records several cases of soft tissue tumors in patients with nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome, this is the first report of a simultaneous occurrence of leiomyosarcoma and nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome.