DISTINCTIVE FEATURES

%10-20 of malignant thyroid neoplasms
Peak incidence in the fifth to sixth decades of life
Prevalent in areas with iodine deficiency
Presence of an apparent capsule
Consists of follicles similar to the normal thyroid, trabeculae or sheets
Some tumors may contain Hurthle-like cells
The diagnosis may be made only if invasion of blood vessels outside the capsule, invasion of the capsule or metastasis can be shown.