Chapter 57: Thyroid Gland- Follicular Adenocarcinoma

Question 1

What percentage of thyroid cancers does it comprise?

Answer 1

≈10%

Question 2

Describe the nodule consistency

Answer 2

Rubbery, encapsulated

Question 3

What is the route of spread?

Answer 3

Hematogenous, more aggressive than papillary adenocarcinoma

Question 4

What is the male-to-female ratio?

Answer 4

1:3

Question 5

131I uptake?

Answer 5

Good uptake

Question 6

What is the overall 10-year survival rate?

Answer 6

≈85%

Question 7

Can the diagnosis be made by FNA?

Answer 7

No; tissue structure is needed for a diagnosis of cancer

Question 8

What histologic findings define malignancy in follicular cancer?

Answer 8

Capsular or blood vessel invasion

Question 9

What is the most common site of distant metastasis?

Answer 9

Bone

Question 10

What is the treatment for follicular cancer?

Answer 10

Total thyroidectomy

Question 11

What is the postoperative treatment option if malignant?

Answer 11

Postoperative 131I scan for diagnosis/treatment

Question 12

What are the “F’s” of follicular cancer?

Answer 12

Follicular cancer:

1. Far-away metastasis (spreads hematogenously)
2. Female (3:1)
3. FNA … NOT (FNA CANNOT diagnose cancer)
4. Favorable prognosis