Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid / 基础医学与临床

ABSTRACT

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an uncommon disease, involvement of the thyroid by langerhans cell histiocytosis is rare. Two cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid confirmed by pathology were reported in this paper. The main clinical feature was enlargement of the thyroids. One patient had hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, the lungs and pituitaries of the two patients were affected. Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the thyroid had no typical symptoms and specific laboratory examination, and might be clinically diagnosed as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, benign or malignant thyroid tumors. Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology might be useful in confirming the diagnosis. The effective treatments include systemic chemotherapy, local radiation therapy and surgical excision. The chemotherapy is still the major technological approach. Most patients can relieve partially after receiving the systemic chemotherapy.