Papillary clear cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland

A case of an unusual papillary clear cell carcinoma of hte thyroid gland is described. The patient expired 17 days after operative biopsy and thyroxine suppression. Special stains were helpful in differentiating renal cortical carcinoma and parathyroid malignant disease from primary papillary clear cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Ultrastructural features of this tumor may relate to the effects of thyroid stimulating hormone as well as the malignant nature of the tumor.