Hürthle cell

Hürthle cell

large oxyphilic, eosinophilic cells found in the thyroid gland. They are metabolically altered follicular cells which accumulate large numbers of mitochondria. See also Hürthle cell tumor (below).

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Hürthle cell tumor

a new growth of the thyroid gland composed wholly or predominantly of large cells (Hürthle cells) having abundant granular, eosinophilic cytoplasm. Such tumors are usually benign (Hürthle cell adenoma) but on occasion may be locally invasive or may rarely metastasize (Hürthle cell carcinoma, or malignant Hürthle cell tumor). Called also oxyphilic adenoma of thyroid gland.