Thyroid carcinoma presenting as an enlarged cervical lymph node.
Differentiated thyroid cancer most commonly presents as a thyroid nodule. Cervical node metastases are commonly observed. In the present report, we describe the clinical presentation, pathologic findings, surgical approach, and follow-up of 43 patients in whom the initial presentation of thyroid cancer was that of an enlarged cervical lymph node. At surgery, 65% of the patients had additional lymph node involvement. The thyroid pathology was papillary carcinoma in all patients, and, in two thirds of patients, the thyroid primary was 1 cm or smaller in size. Forty patients underwent thyroidectomy and modified neck dissection; 3 were treated by thyroidectomy alone. One patient died of disease, 7 were lost to follow-up after 4 to 27 years, 5 died of unrelated causes, and the remaining 30 are alive and free of disease 1.5 to 33.5 years after surgery (mean: 14.8 years).
Attie
J N
JN
Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York.
Setzin
M
M
Klein
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy