Hurthle cell

Hurthle cells are a type of oncocyte arising from thyroid follicular epithelial cells.

Pathology

Under microscopy, Hurthle cells are larger than typical follicular cells, with abundant mitochondria.

Cancers of Hurthle cell origin can be benign adenomas or malignant carcinomas and consist of at least 75% Hurthle cells. Previously considered a subtype of follicular thyroid cancer.

Other conditions in which Hurthle cells are found include: 

• chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
• Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Graves disease

History and etymology

The Hurthle cell is was first described by Max Askanazy in 1898, though the cell is named after Karl Hurthle who was a German histologist who described parafollicular C cells.