Thyroid metastasis from nasopharyngeal cancer: a case report
https://doi.org/10.21294/1814-4861-2023-22-4-149-153
Abstract
Background. Nasopharyngeal cancer is a rare head and neck cancer with a relatively high risk of locoregional recurrence and distant metastases. The most common sites of metastases are bones (70–80 %) followed by liver (30 %), lung (18 %), and lymph node (axillary, mediastinal, pelvic, and inguinal). Thyroid gland is an uncommon site of metastasis with an incidence ranging from 0.5% to 24 %. Thyroid metastasis from nasopharyngeal cancer has been reported in only 9 cases in the world literature and no one in Russia.
Case report. We report a case of thyroid metastasis from nasopharyngeal cancer found incidentally in a 53-year-old female patient.
Conclusion. Metastases to the thyroid gland are rare, and patients with metastatic thyroid disease rarely present with organ-specifc symptoms, thus raising diagnostic diffculties for both clinicians and the pathologists. This clinical report demonstrates the diffculties of differential diagnosis,as well as the importance of a thorough collection of complaints, anamnesis, and clinical examination.
About the Authors
D. M. FatkullinRussian Federation
Dmitry M. Fatkullin, MD, Oncologist, Head and Neck Tumor Department
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
A. O. Guz
Russian Federation
Alexander O. Guz, MD, Oncologist, Head of Head and Neck Tumor Department
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
A. V. Garev
Russian Federation
Artem V. Garev, MD, Oncologist, Head and Neck Tumor Department
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
A. S. Zakharov
Russian Federation
Alexander S. Zakharov, MD, Oncologist, head and neck tumor department, Head of the emergency room
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
M. I. Sokolova
Russian Federation
Maria I. Sokolova, MD, Head and Neck Oncologist
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
I. G. Shesler
Russian Federation
Irina G. Shesler, MD, Pathologist
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
K. S. Aristarkhova
Russian Federation
Ksenia S. Aristarhova, MD, PhD, Pathologist, Head of Diagnostics Laboratory
42, Bluchera St., 454087, Chelyabinsk
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Review
For citations:
Fatkullin D.M., Guz A.O., Garev A.V., Zakharov A.S., Sokolova M.I., Shesler I.G., Aristarkhova K.S. Thyroid metastasis from nasopharyngeal cancer: a case report. Siberian journal of oncology. 2023;22(4):149-153. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21294/1814-4861-2023-22-4-149-153