Incidental Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Lymph Nodes of Patient with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity: a Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The incidental discovery of thyroid lesions in lymph nodes during a lymph node dissection performed for a separate primary head and neck tumor is an unusual clinical entity. Its discovery has led to controversy regarding its significance and management. Case report: We report the case of 58 year-old male with tumour of the right palatine tonsil, soft palate and right side of hypopharynx. The patient was underwent a right side mandibulotomy, hemiglossectomy, extended tonsillectomy and functional neck dissection. Histological examination and imunohistochemical study showed squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and tonsil with metastasis in the two lymph nodes of the neck, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and papillary carcinoma of thyroid gland. Conclusion: The task of the clinician is that of trying to control strictly the squamous cell carcinoma, taking into consideration its great facility to a rapidly pregressive loco-regional reccurence compared to a papillary thyroid carcinoma.