title: Squamous cell carcinoma of proximal esophagus with simultaneous metastases to thyroid and sternum: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Clinically significant metastatic spread to the thyroid is considered uncommon in spite of the fact that thyroid is a highly vascularized organ. Though it is not a very uncommon finding at autopsies, it is rare to be found in clinical situations, especially in an individual without a prior history of malignancy. We present an apparently healthy 66 year-old male patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the proximal esophagus presenting as a thyroid nodule along with sternal deposit as a coincidental finding. Esophageal carcinoma rarely metastasizes to the thyroid. This case highlights the importance of thorough work-up when evaluating a thyroid mass/nodule. A high index of suspicion should be kept in mind in order to detect the unusual etiologies of thyroid conditions, especially when clinicopathological features are not characteristic for primary thyroid malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Avijit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moulick
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Pradipta
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guha
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anirban
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anjan Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Das
keywords: Esophageal carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Sternal deposit; Thyroid metastasis