Metastasis of Thyroid Cancer to the Sternum after Total Thyroidectomy and Laryngectomy

Hajime Ishinaga,Hironori Tenpaku,Kazuhiko Takeuchi,Tomotaka Miyamura

doi:10.1155/2013/346246

Abstract

Metastasis of thyroid cancer to the sternum is rare. Ablation is the therapy of choice for patients with metastasizing differentiated thyroid cancer, while surgical resection is an option for those with resectable bony metastasis. This report describes a case of a 65-year-old woman with a sternal tumor. The patient was treated by partial sternal resection and sternal reconstruction with new material polypropylene/expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) composite. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was free of recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. We conclude that surgery should be used to manage solid bony metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Further more, a polypropylene/ePTFE composite may be useful for sternal reconstruction after thoracotomy.

Highlights

Sternal metastasis from intrathoracic or extrathoracic malignancy is rare
Though ablation is the therapy of choice for patients with metastasizing differentiated thyroid cancer, patients with metastases to the bones have poor rates of survival when compared with those metastases to the cervical lymph nodes and lung [2]
The present report describes a case of sternal metastasis from papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland that was treated by partial sternal resection and sternal reconstruction with a polypropylene/ePTFE composite

Summary

Introduction

Sternal metastasis from intrathoracic or extrathoracic malignancy is rare. Most sternal metastases arise from breast cancer, and only a few cases of sternal metastasis arising from papillary carcinoma have been reported [1]. Though ablation is the therapy of choice for patients with metastasizing differentiated thyroid cancer, patients with metastases to the bones have poor rates of survival when compared with those metastases to the cervical lymph nodes and lung [2]. Surgical resection is recommended for patients with resectable bony metastasis. The present report describes a case of sternal metastasis from papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland that was treated by partial sternal resection and sternal reconstruction with a polypropylene/ePTFE composite

Case Report

Discussion