title: Metastasis of distal esophageal carcinoma to the thyroid with presentation simulating primary thyroid carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Metastasis to the thyroid is extremely rare. There is a lack of awareness of and adequate preparation for this situation, especially in an individual without a past history of malignancy. We describe a rare case of a 61-year-old man in whom a primary distal esophageal carcinoma gave rise to a metastatic palpable mass in the thyroid gland. Palliative bilateral near-total thyroidectomy was performed with pathology showing squamous cell carcinoma and tracheostomy was carried out simultaneously due to airway compression with related symptoms. A review of the literature only reveals 4 similar cases. Secondary neoplasm of the thyroid mimicking a primary malignant lesion is seldom encountered, however, in order to make appropriate treatment, the most critical problem is to distinguish the difference between the above two and the final diagnosis can only be confirmed on pathologic examination. Although the prognosis of thyroid metastasis is commonly felt to be poor, improvement of living quality and prolongation of survival may be obtained in such patients through correct diagnosis and treatment.
authors.forename: En-dong
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Pu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Xing-qiang
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yun-liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Cheng-ze
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiu-huan
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China. zxh.surgeryoncology@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Xiao-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
references.citation: Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand Suppl. 1977;(260):1-235
references.pmid: 269649
references.citation: Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1982 Oct;155(4):503-5
references.pmid: 7123465
references.citation: Cancer. 1997 Feb 1;79(3):574-8
references.pmid: 9028370
references.citation: Int J Clin Oncol. 2004 Dec;9(6):515-9
references.pmid: 15616884
references.citation: Am J Surg. 1985 Oct;150(4):519-23
references.pmid: 4051119
references.citation: Jpn J Surg. 1989 Jul;19(4):480-4
references.pmid: 2810962
references.citation: World J Surg. 1999 Feb;23(2):177-80; discussion 181
references.pmid: 9880428
references.citation: J Surg Oncol. 1981;17(1):15-23
references.pmid: 7230827
references.citation: Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2011;52(1):187-92
references.pmid: 21424054
references.citation: Thyroid. 1998 Feb;8(2):149-53
references.pmid: 9510123
references.citation: Ann Surg. 1964 Aug;160:169-77
references.pmid: 14209716
references.citation: J Korean Med Sci. 2009 Dec;24(6):1230-3
references.pmid: 19949691
references.citation: Thyroid. 2007 Mar;17(3):267-9
references.pmid: 17381361
references.citation: Auris Nasus Larynx. 2004 Mar;31(1):95-100
references.pmid: 15041062
references.citation: J Med Assoc Thai. 1982 Jan;65(1):38-44
references.pmid: 6153040
references.citation: Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2006 Nov;391(6):581-7
references.pmid: 16983577
references.citation: Indian J Cancer. 2005 Oct-Dec;42(4):205-7
references.pmid: 16391440
references.citation: S Afr Med J. 1977 Apr 9;51(15):509-12
references.pmid: 854830
references.citation: Am J Surg. 1988 Jul;156(1):44-6
references.pmid: 3394892
references.citation: Surg Today. 1999;29(6):542-4
references.pmid: 10385369
references.citation: J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2010 Jul;11(7):542-6
references.pmid: 20593521
references.citation: Surg Today. 2000;30(11):1005-7
references.pmid: 11110395
references.citation: J Am Coll Surg. 2005 Feb;200(2):203-7
references.pmid: 15664095
references.citation: Am J Clin Pathol. 1971 Jan;55(1):93-8
references.pmid: 5099785
references.citation: Surg Today. 1993;23(2):153-8
references.pmid: 8467161