Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2013 Apr;56(4):222-225. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.4.222.

Two Cases of Primary Papillary Thyroid Cancer with a Squamous Cell Carcinoma Component

• Ko JS
• Kim JP
• Park JJ
• Woo SH

• KMID: 1426500
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.4.222

Abstract

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid is an unusual neoplasm. Recently, a new theory has been expounded suggesting that papillary thyroid carcinoma has an SCC component, as squamous differentiation is detected in only a portion of papillary thyroid carcinomas. We experienced two cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid. One case was an 82-year-old woman who underwent a total thyroidectomy. Histopathologic findings revealed that the squamous cell carcinoma was extended to the soft tissue. The woman was treated with postoperative radiotherapy, but her prognosis was poor. On the other hand, the case of a 31-year-old woman who was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma within the thyroid displayed good prognosis. We review the literature and discuss these two cases that bring into focus the different prognoses.

Keyword

Papillary carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Thyroid neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma
Carcinoma, Papillary
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Female
Hand
Humans
Prognosis
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy
Carcinoma
Thyroid Neoplasms