Thyroid gland metastasis from breast cancer as a first manifestation of the disease

Abstract

Metastasis to the thyroid gland is uncommon compared with the frequency of primary thyroid tumors. The most common types of cancer metastatic to the thyroid gland include: carcinoma of kidney, lung, breast ovary and melanoma. In the literature, we find descriptions of cases of metastatic breast cancer patients previously diagnosed with breast carcinoma, resulting from the development of cancer. However, breast cancer metastasis to the thyroid gland, as the first manifestation of the disease is rare.

Case report: 73-year-old patient with fast-growing tumor of the right thyroid lobe was admitted to the Department of Endocrinology, Holy Cross Cancer Center to diagnosis and further treatment. Many years ago she was seen because of thyroid nodular disease in euthyroid stage. Before admission fine needle aspiration biopsy of the right lobe of the thyroid nodule was done. The study found the group and individual atypical cells that suggest medullary or insular thyroid cancer. Based on cytological diagnosis-including immunohistochemistry was suspected metastatic breast cancer. On the basis of further studies revealed the presence of breast cancer metastatic to the thyroid gland. Each rapidly growing thyroid tumor should be differentiated from secondary changes in the absence of previous clinical data accompanying cancer. Immunohistochemical examination is very helpful in the clinical diagnosis.