PAPILLARY CARCINOMA THYROID- RELATION TO LYMPHOCYTIC THYROIDITIS

BACKGROUNDCoexistence of papillary carcinoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis has been described in many studies.It is not known whether the lymphocytic thyroiditis is only an immune reaction or lymphocytic thyroiditis is a risk factor for papillary carcinoma.Aims and Objectives: 1.To estimate the prevalence and severity of lymphocytic infiltration in thyroids resected for papillary carcinoma, follicular neoplasm and multinodular goitre.2. To estimate the extent and severity of lymphocytic infiltration in areas adjacent to the tumour and the rest of the thyroid in cases of papillary carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a descriptive study.52 cases of papillary carcinoma, 48 cases of follicular neoplasm and/ or 100 cases of multinodular goitre were studied.Formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections stained by haematoxylin and eosin are scanned for lymphocytic thyroiditis and grading for thyroiditis done. RESULTSPapillary carcinoma showed significant association with lymphocytic thyroiditis.Grade of lymphocytic thyroiditis was not higher just around the tumour compared to non-tumourous areas in thyroidectomy specimens resected for papillary carcinoma. CONCLUSIONPapillary carcinoma shows association with lymphocytic thyroiditis.Lymphocytic thyroiditis of higher grade is also seen in nontumourous areas of thyroid with papillary carcinoma.