Cytology of medullary thyroid carcinoma – report of 4 cases

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an uncommon thyroid tumor which derives from the parafollicular or C cells of the gland and is associated with specific supportive diagnostic markers. Despite this, its cytological diagnosis is often difficult owing to variable patterns of growth and cytologic features. We report here with four cases of MTC. The diagnosis was established on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) followed by surgical resection and confirmed on histopathology. Preoperative serum calcitonin (CT) levels were also done in all the four cases.