Two Cases of the Diffuse Sclerosing Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSPTC) is a rare histological subtype characterized by diffuse involvement of one or both thyroid lobes, widespread lymphatic permeation, prominent fibrosis, squamous metaplasia, abundant psammoma body and lymphatic infiltration. This subtype usually occurs in young female, and exhibits a higher frequency of cervical and distant metastasis. DSPTC clinically resembles Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and often delays the correct diagnosis. We experienced two patients with DSPTC: the one patient presented with a neck mass lasting for a month, and in the other patient, a thyroid lesion was incidentally found during a medical examination. (J Korean Endocr Soc 23:430~437, 2008)