Abstract
Thyroid metastases account for approximately 1.4-3% of all malignancies of the thyroid gland. Thyroid metastases are most common in: clarocellular carcinoma of the kidney, lung cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma and cancers of gastrointestinal tract. A rare situation is when thyroid metastasis is diagnosed before detecting primary malignant focus and when it is the first manifestation of underlying disease. We present a case of 64-year-old male with thyroid metastasis being the first manifestation of lung adenocarcinoma.The authors emphasize that patients with the history of malignancy should undergo an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland in order to exclude a focal lesion, and if such lesion is detected, fine-needle aspiration biopsy is recommended. The authors also point out that establishing final diagnosis of thyroid metastasis of cancer in other organs is only possible on the basis of postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry.
Highlights
Goiter is the most common pathology of the thyroid gland
We present a case of 64-year-old male in whom the diagnosis of focal lesion of the thyroid gland led to the detection of lung adenocarcinoma
Lung adenocarcinoma may form glandular structures, which may resemble thyroid follicles, in cytology; just as in our case, the final diagnosis of thyroid metastasis with indication of primary malignant focus is based on histopathology and detailed analysis of immunohistochemical profile of neoplastic cells
Summary
Goiter is the most common pathology of the thyroid gland. Palpable focal lesions of the thyroid are found in 3-7% adults. The rate of thyroid metastases may be as much as 8-times higher, and it is estimated even at 24% in patients with generalized malignant disease [3,4]. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the largest focal lesion from the left thyroid lobe revealed sheets of follicular cells without cytology features of malignancy, while the biopsy of the lesion at the right side showed non-small cell cancer cells. On his last visit at Endocrine Outpatient Clinic in March 2012, the patient’s general condition was good, and he remained in the state of clinical and biochemical euthyreosis. According to the information obtained from patient’s family, the malignant disease progressed rapidly and the patient died in June 2012
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call