title: Endobronchial metastasis of thyroid follicular carcinoma.
abstract: Well-differentiated forms of thyroid cancer, including follicular carcinoma, usually have good prognoses. But they are also known to metastasize to the bones, lungs and central nervous system. Endobronchial metastasis is exceptionally rare. In this paper, we report on a patient with endobronchial metastasis of follicular thyroid carcinoma. A 77-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with hemoptysis and a growing mass over the right clavicula. Computerized tomography (CT) of the chest revealed multiple lung metastases. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed a fragile polypoid mass of 1.5 cm, 6 cm distal to the vocal cords. Biopsy from the supraclavicular mass was consistent with follicular thyroid carcinoma. Taking into account the advanced nature of the disease as well as the general condition and age of the patient, aggressive treatment modalities were not considered in the management. Palliation for hemoptysis was attained by external radiotherapy. After radiotherapy, hemoptysis did not recur, and the patient was discharged. Although endobronchial metastasis of thyroid follicular carcinoma is very rare, the presence of endobronchial metastasis may be life threatening due to massive hemoptysis, and such a lesion must be suspected in any cancer patients presenting with hemoptysis.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. zekeriyaulger@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zekeriya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ulger
authors.forename: Nazmiye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Serhan Vahit
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Piskinpasa
authors.forename: Yelda Ozgun
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Niksarlioglu
authors.forename: Saadettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilickap
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erman
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Firat
authors.forename: Nilufer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guler
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000473:pathology*; D000368:Aged; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006469:Hemoptysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*