A Case of Occult Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid, Invaded Trachea and Esophagus.

Cho, Deok Su; Ahn, Byung Yi; Oh, Hyung Tae; Lee, Deok Su; Han, Dong Ho; Kim, Sang Young; Kim, Kwi Wan

doi:1997.44.5.1125

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 44(5); 1997 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1997;44(5):1125-1131.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1997.44.5.1125 Published online October 1, 1997.

A Case of Occult Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid, Invaded Trachea and Esophagus.

Deok Su Cho, Byung Yi Ahn, Hyung Tae Oh, Deok Su Lee, Dong Ho Han, Sang Young Kim, Kwi Wan Kim

Department of Internal, Presbyterian Medical Center, Chun ju, Korea.

Abstract

Occult papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid is known to be indolent, slow metastatic, and has a good prognosis. Occult thyroid carcinoma presenting as a blood-borne metastasis without obvious cervical lymph node involvement is extremely rare. A 65-year-old male patient was visited for hoarseness, dysphagia, and shortness of breath. Bronchoscopy with biopsy revealed a papillary carcinoma of thyroid by immunohistochemical staining. Head & neck CT revealed that involving both the upper esophagus and the posterior tracheal wall, extending into the mediastinum along the upper thoracic spine at T1-T2. We have experienced a rare case of occult papillary carcinoma which invaded the trachea, esophagus and fascia of thoracic spine. Treatment was initiated with radioactive iodine and external bean therapy.

Key Words: Occult papillary carcinoma, Blood-borne metastasis