Warthin-Like Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Rare Case in an Adolescent Female with Diagnostic and Clinical Insights

Abstract

The Warthin-like subtype of papillary thyroid carcinoma (WL-PTC) represents a rare morphological variant, often linked with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Characterized by oncocytic epithelial cells forming papillae amid dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, this variant typically presents in adult women. Due to imaging and cytological overlaps with classical PTC, preoperative diagnosis can be intricate. This report details an exceptional case involving an 18-year-old female with a left thyroid lobe nodule. Cytological assessment indicated PTC, later confirmed as WL-PTC following histological evaluation post-thyroidectomy. The tumor exhibited defining oncocytic and nuclear features amid prominent lymphoid stroma. Recognizing such rare variants is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and to tailor appropriate management, especially given their generally favorable prognosis.