Etymed
papillary thyroid carcinoma
Definition
A malignant tumor of the thyroid gland characterized by papillary projections
Clinical context
A 35-year-old woman presents with a painless neck mass that has slowly increased in size over several months. Physical examination reveals a firm, fixed nodule in the right thyroid gland. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy shows malignant cells with characteristic nuclear features including nuclear enlargement, nuclear grooves, and psammoma bodies. The patient is diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Mnemonic
PAPILLARY - Pits, Grooves, and Psammoma bodies
These morphemes also unlock…
- papill/o — little nipple; papilla
- ary — pertaining to
- thyroid — shield
- carcin/o — cancer
- oma — tumor; mass