Anaplastic carcinoma clinical aspects

Abstract

Anaplastic carcinoma describes an undifferentiated malignancy derived from more well-differentiated thyroid follicular epithelium. In contrast to the generally indolent nature of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma represents one of the most aggressive human neoplasms, with a disease-specific mortality of at least 90%. Early recognition of the disease is essential to allow prompt initiation of therapy and to achieve a significant tumor response. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.