[A case of thyroid metastasis of an unusual cancer]

Cancer Radiother. 2009 Jun;13(3):213-5. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2009.01.004. Epub 2009 Mar 26.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma affects preferentially young adults and is characterized by a high rate of node and visceral metastases that explains a part of therapeutic failure. We report a case of thyroid metastasis of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A 50-year-old patient had been treated of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (T4 N2M0). Four years after a concomitant chemoradiotherapy, he presented with a compressive mass in the thyroid loge associated to cervical nodes. He underwent a total thyroidectomy and the definitive result concluded to an carcinome indifférencié de type nasopharyngé (UCNT) thyroid metastasis. A new concomitant chemoradiotherapy was delivered and consequently the tumor disappeared. Secondly, several node recurrences occurred. Metastasis of UCNT in thyroid gland is exceptional. Several problems are related to its aetiopathogenesis and to its treatment that is not systematized in the literature. The prognosis like for all metastatic forms of nasopharyngeal cancer is unfavorable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thyroidectomy