Tuberc Respir Dis.  1997 Oct;44(5):1125-1131.

A Case of Occult Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid, Invaded Trachea and Esophagus

• Cho DS
• Ahn BY
• Oh HT
• Lee DS
• Han DH
• Kim SY
• Kim KW

Abstract

Occult papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is known to be indolent, slow metastatic, and has a good prognosis. Occult thyroid carcinoma presenting as a blood-borne metastasis without obvious cervical lymph node involvement is extremely rare. A 65-year-old male patient was visited for hoarseness, dysphagia, and shortness of breath. Bronchoscopy with biopsy revealed a papillary carcinoma of thyroid by immunohistochemical staining. Head & neck CT revealed that involving both the upper esophagus and the posterior tracheal wall, extending into the mediastinum along the upper thoracic spine at T1-T2. We have experienced a rare case of occult papillary carcinoma which invaded the trachea, esophagus and fascia of thoracic spine. Treatment was initiated with radioactive iodine and external bean therapy.

Keyword

Occult papillary carcinoma; Blood-borne metastasis

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary
Aged
Biopsy
Bronchoscopy
Carcinoma, Papillary*
Deglutition Disorders
Dyspnea
Esophagus*
Fascia
Head
Hoarseness
Humans
Iodine
Lymph Nodes
Male
Mediastinum
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis
Prognosis
Spine
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms
Trachea*
Iodine