Mandibular metastasis of a silent papillary thyroid carcinoma: A rare case presentation

Abstract

Papillary carcinoma is the most common malignancy of thyroid accounting for about 80-90% of thyroid cancers. The most common site of metastasis is lung and bone. Distant metastasis is associated with poor prognosis in thyroid cancers in terms of decreased survival rates. Metastasis to mandible is a rare occurrence in thyroid cancers and very few cases have been reported in literature. Here we present a case of 45-year-old female who presented with complaints of pain and swelling in right side of mandible for past 10 months. On examination, a 3x3 cm hard, non-mobile growth on right side of mandible was seen. Microscopy revealed features of metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma, which were later confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Mandibular metastasis of thyroid cancer is exceedingly rare, however in cases presenting initially with jaw swelling it must be kept as a differential diagnosis.