Diagnostic problems with follicular thyroid cancer – case study

The diagnosis of follicular thyroid cancer is based on postoperative histopathology assessment. In its minimally invasive form, the signs of vascular invasion and capsular infiltration may sometimes be seen only in a small tumor fragment; hence, the diagnosis should be based on multiple histopathology specimens. This case study is a report on a 70-year-old female who was diagnosed with spinal metastasis of follicular thyroid cancer. This diagnosis was established 5 years after partial strumectomy due to goiter and there were no signs of thyroid cancer in postoperative histopathology assessment. Based on this case and literature reports, the authors conclude that the diagnosis of follicular thyroid cancer, especially its minimally invasive forms, may pose a diagnostic problem even when based on postoperative histopathology.