Anaplastic thyroid cancer: diagnostic challenges

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a highly aggressive malignant neoplasm characterized by rapid growth and an extremely unfavorable prognosis. The incidence of this tumor is 1-2% of all thyroid cancer cases. Diagnosis of this type of malignant tumor is often associated with significant difficulties associated with a large morphological diversity of tumor cells. The article presents a clinical case reflecting the difficulties in diagnosing anaplastic thyroid cancer. The role and capabilities of radiation, cytological, pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic research methods for the timely diagnosis of this type of malignant neoplasm are discussed. It is necessary to remember the possibility of detecting anaplastic thyroid cancer in patients with a tumor with signs of malignancy in the organ not only to oncologists, but also to therapists, endocrinologists and surgeons for timely referral and additional examination of patients, given the extremely unfavorable prognosis of the disease.