Cytological diagnosis of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma: a case report.

ABSTRACT

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a rare tumor arising from parafollicular or C cells of thyroid gland. As it is a rare tumor, cytological diagnosis is often difficult due to various patterns of growth and cytological features. Here we report a case of medullary thyroid carcinoma with metastases to cervical lymph node and skull bone. The diagnosis was established by fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid, cervical lymph node and scalp swelling. Preoperative serum calcitonin was done and was elevated.