open access
A rare case of medullary carcinoma thyroid metastasizing to bilateral breast parenchyma
open access
Abstract
Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC) commonly spreads through the lymphatics to distant sites such as lung, liver and bone. Spread to the breast is rare. We report a case of metastatic MTC which progressed to develop nodal metastases to cervical and mediastinal regions, visceral metastases to the liver, lung and ultimately to bilateral breasts. Clinically it is important to distinguish metastatic breast lesions from primary breast cancer as each is managed differently. Both cytological and radiological investigations were done followed by excision biopsy. Histopathological examination of post excision breast specimen revealed metastatic medullary carcinoma, with positive immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin. A brief review of literature and differential diagnosis is also presented.
Abstract
Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC) commonly spreads through the lymphatics to distant sites such as lung, liver and bone. Spread to the breast is rare. We report a case of metastatic MTC which progressed to develop nodal metastases to cervical and mediastinal regions, visceral metastases to the liver, lung and ultimately to bilateral breasts. Clinically it is important to distinguish metastatic breast lesions from primary breast cancer as each is managed differently. Both cytological and radiological investigations were done followed by excision biopsy. Histopathological examination of post excision breast specimen revealed metastatic medullary carcinoma, with positive immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin. A brief review of literature and differential diagnosis is also presented.
Keywords
medullary carcinoma, metastasis, breast nodules, HYNEC octreotide scan
About this articleTitle
A rare case of medullary carcinoma thyroid metastasizing to bilateral breast parenchyma
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
17-19
Published online
2016-10-14
Page views
1770
Article views/downloads
1311
DOI
Pubmed
Keywords
medullary carcinoma
metastasis
breast nodules
HYNEC octreotide scan
Authors
Aamna Hassan
Maimoona Siddiqui
Sidra Jahangir
