Thyroid Lymphoma

Chapter 120


Thyroid Lymphoma


Epidemiology


Thyroid lymphoma constitutes 4% of all thyroid malignancies. It may arise primarily from the thyroid or involve the gland as part of a systemic disease. It is much more common in elderly women. The majority of patients with thyroid lymphoma have a history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.


Clinical Features


Patients generally present with a rapidly enlarging mass in the lower neck. Large masses can cause breathing or swallowing problems due to tracheal or esophageal compression. Pressure on the recurrent laryngeal nerve may cause hoarseness or aspiration secondary to vocal cord malfunction.


Pathology


The tumor is usually a B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lymphomatous involvement of the thyroid may be focal or diffuse. Grossly, the tumor appears as a firm, lobulated mass. Extension into the surrounding tissues occurs in 50 to 60% of cases. On histologic examination, the tumor is usually a diffuse large cell type. Low-grade lymphomas are less frequent and are usually the small cell type variant.


Treatment


Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy is the most accepted form of treatment. Surgical resection is not recommended.


Imaging


US

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Dec 27, 2015 | Posted by in HEAD & NECK IMAGING | Comments Off on Thyroid Lymphoma

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access