J Korean Thyroid Assoc.  2012 Nov;5(2):157-160. 10.11106/jkta.2012.5.2.157.

Two Cases of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Masquerading as Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer

• Lee JH
• Lee SH
• Min HS
• Kim JH
• Park DJ
• Park YJ

• KMID: 2095106
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11106/jkta.2012.5.2.157

Abstract

Papillary thyroid carcinoma and primary lung cancer have vastly different treatment approaches and prognosis. If lung mass is found in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, we have to be aware of the possibility of primary lung cancer especially when the lesion is not iodine-avid, or is not typical to metastatic thyroid carcinoma, or serum thyroglobulin is not elevated. Here we present two cases of non-small cell lung cancer masquerading as metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma and think of the approach of the lung mass which is found in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Keyword

Nepolasm metastasis; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Non-small-cell lung carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Humans
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Prognosis
Thyroglobulin
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Carcinoma
Thyroglobulin
Thyroid Neoplasms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) 0.9 cm sized hypoechoic nodule at the operation bed (arrow) was found on neck ultrasonogram. (B) Chest CT showed 2.4 cm sized nodule (arrow) in left upper lobe lingular division. (C) Bone scan revealed multiple increased uptake in skull, T-L spines, both ribs, left scapula, left humerus, left radius, left pelvic bone and left femur. (D) The lung biopsy was diagnosed as primary well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (H&E stain, ×200).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Neck ultrasonography showed metastatic lymph nodes (arrow) in left neck level VI. (B) L-spine MRI showed L2 compression fracture (arrow). (C) Chest CT showed diffuse irregular pleural thickening with pleural masses (arrow) in left hemithorax. (D) The lung needle biopsy was non small cell carcinoma focally showing gland-forming features, which was suggestive of adenocarcinoma of lung (H&E stain, ×400).

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