Diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Five cases of the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (DSPC) were presented. The fifth case was discovered in a statistically not defined series of carcinomas of the thyroid gland. DSPC were found in 5.7% of 70 cases of thyroid papillary carcinoma. All the cases described showed a similar histological picture. In the first case a "dominant nodule" was found. Immunohistologically B-cell markers were mostly proved on lymphocytes of the focal lymphocytic infiltration. Accumulation of Langerhans cells was present in the tumour foci. The finding of these cells is regarded as a sign of an enhanced immunological defense mechanism. The clinical follow-up interval of patients was 3 to 9 years. Less favourable prognosis of DSPC as compared with classical papillary carcinomas could not be confirmed in this series.