Partial resection of the sternum for osseous metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer: case report.
BACKGROUND
Due to their resistance to radio-iodine therapy, skeletal metastases from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are difficult to treat. Surgical resection of solitary skeletal metastasis may offer cure with prolonged survival.


METHODS
A patient with the simultaneous appearance of local recurrence of DTC and skeletal metastasis of the cranial sternum is reported. After radical excision of the tumour recurrence and the lymph nodes, a partial sternal resection was carried out, and the defect in the chest wall was reconstructed with polypropylene mesh. Radio-iodine ablation therapy was carried out 4 times after the operation for locally recurrent disease. At the follow-up, 4 1/2 years after the resection of the sternal metastasis, the patient is free of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Sternal resection for solitary osseous metastasis of DTC should be performed on selected, individual patients. Reconstruction of the sternum with polypropylene mesh, as a simple and effective method, produces satisfactory functional and cosmetic results and allows a more effective radio-iodine treatment.
Meyer
Andreas
A
Klinikum Deggendorf Klinik für Viszeral-, Thorax-, Gefiif- und Kinderchirurgie, Perlasberger Strasse 41, 94469 Deggendorf, Germany.
Behrend
Matthias
M
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*