Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma: single centre experience and review of the literature

There is controversy in the literature regarding a distinct subset of thyroid carcinoma whose histologically classification falls between well-differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas, previously identified as ‘poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma’ (PDTC), or ‘insular carcinoma’, in view of the peculiar morphological characteristics of the cell groupings. The correct diagnosis and treatment of this entity have important prognostic and therapeutic significance. In this review, we describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of PDTC and report our single centre experience to add to the limited evidence existing in the literature.