Incidental langerhans cell histiocytosis of thyroid: case report and review of the literature

Endocr Pathol. 2002 Fall;13(3):227-33. doi: 10.1385/ep:13:3:227.

Abstract

We report a case of a 42-yr-old woman with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) confined to the thyroid and associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis and a papillary microcarcinoma. This patient remains free of symptoms 14 mo after surgery. Thyroid LCH is rare. In children, it usually occurs as part of a multisystemic disease, whereas it is usually exclusive in adults. Isolated thyroid LCH is frequently associated with another thyroid disease, especially lymphocytic thyroiditis, suggesting that it is a reactive process rather than a neoplastic proliferation. The prognosis of isolated thyroid LCH is good. However, because it can rarely precede or reveal a multisystemic disease, additional investigations as well as a prolonged follow-up are justified.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / complications
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / surgery
  • Female
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / complications
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / pathology*
  • Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / surgery
  • Humans
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / complications
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / pathology*
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome