Synchronous papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroid gland: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

We report a rare case of synchronous occurrence of thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma and thyroid carcinoma and discuss its management in detail. A 59-year-old woman was clinically diagnosed to have a thyroglossal duct cyst and a solitary nodule. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed a papillary carcinoma in the thyroglossal duct cyst and a colloid in the thyroid nodule. Sistrunk's procedure along with a total thyroidectomy was performed followed by postoperative radioiodine ablation. Histopathologic examination revealed thyroglossal duct cyst carcinoma and bilateral foci of papillary carcinoma in the thyroid gland. She has remained free of disease on follow-up. Most cancers arising in thyroglossal duct cysts are of low risk, and Sistrunk's procedure is an adequate treatment for such cancers. However, for synchronously occurring cancers of the thyroglossal duct cyst and thyroid gland, or high-risk thyroglossal duct cyst cancers, more aggressive treatment comprising total thyroidectomy, Sistrunk's procedure, and radioiodine therapy is indicated.