Metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous metastases from thyroid carcinomas, although uncommon, have been previously reported and are usually found in association with evidence of disseminated disease.


METHODS
We report a 75-year-old male who presented with a 4-cm reddish violaceous nodule on the left temple and a clinical history significant for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.


RESULTS
Microscopic examination of a 4-mm punch biopsy revealed a poorly circumscribed neoplasm with focal epidermal connection and multiple cystic cavities and papillary projections.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report describes a solitary cutaneous lesion as the first evidence of disseminated neoplastic disease in a patient with no other clinical evidence of concurrent metastases. The histology of the lesion was unusual in that it mimicked a primary cutaneous neoplasm.
Mahalingam
M
M
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. mahalinm@questdiagnostics.com
Bhawan
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*