insular carcinoma

insular carcinoma

a poorly differentiated thyroid malignant tumor that grows in the form of large solid nests (insulae) and sheets, showing broad areas of necrosis. Synonym(s): primordial cell carcinoma

insular carcinoma (thyroid)

An unencapsulated type of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma seen in older patients which is usually associated with aggressive clinical behaviour.
DiffDx
Medullary carcinoma of carcinoid type.
Prognosis
Intermediate between well-differentiated follicular carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma; 50% 5-year survival; high incidence of nodal and haematogenous metastasis, and death from metastatic rather than local disease; tracheal compression is a particularly worrying symptom.