Abstract
Occult thyroid carcinoma presenting with clinically apparent metastasis is rare and is a diagnostic challenge. Here we report a 68 year old male who presented with a left side chest wall mass of one year duration. The mass showed rapid enlargement at the latter end of its course, following an initial asymptomatic period. Imaging studies showed a soft tissue mass eroding into several ribs.Wide local excision with primary reconstruction was performed.Histological studies and immune staining revealed metastasis from a follicular thyroid carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy followed, confirming the diagnosis. Post-operatively radio isotope ablation (I131) was done.A suppression dose of thyroxin was continued with regular thyroglobulin assays. Painful bone responded well to analgesics, bisphosphonates and external beam radiotherapy. Follicular carcinoma comprise 10-15% of thyroid malignancies. Localized thyroid carcinoma has a very good prognosis, ten year survival rates reducing by 50% with metastatic disease. Commonly thyroid cancer presents as detectable thyroid nodules, 25% having metastasis. In contrast metastatic manifestations are reported in less than 5% of occult thyroid cancers.
Highlights
Manifestation of secondary deposits from a silent thyroid cancer is one presentation of the condition defined as occult thyroid carcinoma [1]
In this paper we present a middle aged male who presented with a thoracic wall mass suggestive of a soft tissue tumor
Papillary carcinoma comprises the majority whilst 10% are follicular carcinomas
Summary
Manifestation of secondary deposits from a silent thyroid cancer is one presentation of the condition defined as occult thyroid carcinoma [1]. 25% of metastatic [2] spread from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is to bone. Secondary deposit from occult thyroid cancer is rare [3] and presents a challenge to the clinician in its diagnosis. The presence of distant metastasis is reported todecrease 10year survival rate by 50% [4]. In this paper we present a middle aged male who presented with a thoracic wall mass suggestive of a soft tissue tumor. Histological analysis revealed a metastatic deposit of an occult follicular thyroid cancer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
