Malignant melanoma with synchronous thyroid metastases: case report and literature review

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Costa, MM (Author) Other; Belo, S (Author) Other; Capela Costa, J (Author) Other; Costa, J (Author) Other; Carvalho, Davide (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Archives of endocrinology and metabolism

Vol. 61

Pages: 193-197

ISSN: 2359-3997

Publisher: Segmento Farma Editores

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-QC9

DOI: 10.1590/2359-3997000000251

Abstract (EN): Thyroid metastases are rare in clinical practice. We describe the case of an 85-year-old woman who was referred to our department due to a multinodular goiter with compressive symptoms and subclinical hyperthyroidism. The patient was also undergoing evaluation for a polyp in her left nasal cavity, which was then diagnosed as a malignant melanoma of the nasal mucosa. A thoracoabdominal magnetic resonance imaging obtained for cancer staging revealed a > 50% tracheal obstruction caused by the goiter. The patient underwent simultaneous total thyroidectomy and melanoma excision. Histological analysis of the thyroid showed the presence of multiple metastatic foci from the melanoma. Due to the patient's age, a decision was made to maintain her under surveillance and administer palliative treatment if necessary. Although metastases to the thyroid are rare, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions in patients with a known primary tumor. The thyroidectomy, performed in this patient's case, allowed the diagnosis of the metastases and relief of compressive symptoms caused by the goiter.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5