In this papillary carcinoma of thyroid note the small psammoma body in the center. The cells of this neoplasm often have nuclei with a central clear appearance from fixation. Papillary carcinomas are indolent tumors that have a long survival, even when metastases occur. The most favorite site of papillary carcicnoma metastasis is to local lymph nodes in the neck. In fact, some papillary carcinomas may first be detected as a nodal metastasis.


Serum thyroglobulin (TG) can be a useful marker for differentiated thyroid carcinomas (mostly papillary and follicular carcinomas). The presence of anti-thyroglobulin antibody can affect TG measurement, so both can be obtained.