Secondary malignancy of the thyroid gland: a case report and review of the literature

Thyroid. 1994 Fall;4(3):297-300. doi: 10.1089/thy.1994.4.297.

Abstract

Metastatic cancer to the thyroid gland is uncommon. In this report we describe a patient with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma that metastasized to the thyroid, possibly to a preexisting thyroid nodule. A review of the literature reveals that breast and lung carcinoma are the most frequently identified sources of secondary thyroid carcinoma found at autopsy, while renal carcinoma comprises over 50% of secondary thyroid malignancies discovered clinically. A number of authors suggest that preexisting thyroid disease (i.e., multinodular goiter and thyroid nodules) may provide a nidus for metastases to the thyroid gland.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / pathology
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / secondary*
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery