Case Report: Papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts occur in approximately 7% of the adult population. In children, it is the most common cervical congenital anomaly, with a frequency of 70%. Intracystic malignancy is very rare, it occurs in less than 1% of cases, with a mean age of 40 years and predominance in women. CASE REPORT: 29-year-old female patient, with no significant medical background. She consulted for a “lump” in the front neck, which had been slowly growing for three years, and did not produce any symptoms. Physical examination and complementary imaging tests resulted in the diagnosis of an occupational lesion compatible with a thyroglossal cyst. Sistrunk surgery was performed. EVOLUTION: During the surgical procedure, a mass was identified over the hyoid bone, macroscopically compatible with a thyroglossal duct cyst; however, the histopathology report showed papillary thyroid carcinoma within the cyst. The case was discussed; it was decided to only indicate control and follow-up. The patient has been on follow up for 30 months, without recurrence to date. CONCLUSION: Although its incidence is low, papillary thyroid carcinoma can present within a thyroglossal duct cyst; the incidence is slightly higher in female population. Diagnosis in most cases is made after surgical treatment. The treatment choice must be individualized in each case, depending on the risk of recurrence and metastasis, following the current established recommendations.