Thyroid malignant lymphoma commonly occurs on a background of lymphocytic thyroiditis and has a dramatic response to irradiation.
Diagnosis and treatment
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Historically, many malignant lymphomas were diagnosed as small round-cell anaplastic carcinomas.
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Biopsy establishes the diagnosis. Once confirmed, radical surgery is unnecessary because the response to irradiation is dramatic.
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When tracheal compression is present, isthmusectomy is the most appropriate form of biopsy. It is rarely necessary because treatment acts rapidly, unless obtaining a histological diagnosis has been difficult.
Background and prognosis
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Most thyroid lymphomas occur against a background of lymphocytic thyroiditis.
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Prognosis is good, particularly when cervical lymph nodes are not involved.
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Rarely, the thyroid tumour is part of widespread malignant lymphoma; prognosis is worse in these cases.