Eighteen cases of patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid are analyzed. Patients
were treated by irradiation and/or chemotherapy and in 9 cases the operation of the
thyroid as realized. Two patients of operated group and two patients of non-operated
group died after 1-365 days due to malignant lymphoma. The mean follow up of living
patients is 66.8 months. In 5 cases, the coincidence of malignant lymphoma and lymphocytic
thyroiditis was proved. The diagnosis of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid in all
cases but one was based on cytology gained from fine needle biopsy and then confirmed
in most cases by histology. We advise to use fine needle biopsy
as a simple and safe method in all solitary nodules of the thyroid of uncertain origin
and urgent fine needle biopsy in cases of fast growing mass on the neck. Fine needle
biopsy reliably differentiates between primary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma
and malignant lymphoma of the thyroid. Difficulties can arise in differential diagnosis
between malignant lymphoma and lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Thyroid nodule - Malignant lymphoma of the thyroid - Lymphocytic thyroiditis - Fine
needle biopsy - Cytology
