| The
pleomorphism
(to simplify: the variation in shape in
excess of a normal range) is a more important type of atypia than
anisonucleoisis (i.e. the variation in size in excess of a normal
range). Nevertheless, in the presence of lymphocytic thyroiditis, it
has
only a limited significance. If we analyze single atypical cells from
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the degree of atypia will frequently reach
that observed in an anaplastic cancer. In cases where lymphocytes
occur in great number on the smear,
the presence of pleomorphism without other signs of malignancy
(inclusion or groove) causes no problem. |
