Carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst: Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Although thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma is a pathology that is relatively easy to treat, it is an uncommon finding and little reported in the literature. Objective: To report the history, evolution and management of a patient with a thyroglossal duct cyst that progressed to carcinoma, review the pathophysiological nature of the disease, and the scarce literature that addresses this topic. Case summary: Woman, 40 years old, diagnosed in 2018 with a cyst in the thyroglossal duct. He is looking for a Head and Neck surgeon in 2020 to evaluate the case, to whom he reports an increase in the nodule and local discomfort. Surgery is recommended to remove it. The pathological examination performed after surgery reveals suspicion of malignant transformation. An immunohistochemical test was carried out, which confirmed the suspicion. A return visit was requested in 6 months and an ultrasound was requested to control the pathology. Discussion: the thyroglossal duct results in the thyroid descending path remaining from the base of the tongue to its final resting place in the anterior region of the neck in the midline. This tract must obliterate at the beginning of fetal life; failure in this involution can later lead to a cyst in this duct. The cyst is often noticed after an upper respiratory tract infection and in rare situations, a carcinoma may develop from the walls of the cyst. Conclusion: cases of cyst carcinoma in the thyroglossal duct should be discussed due to the scarcity of reports in the literature and its rare incidence in the clinical field.