Papillary thyroid carcinoma arising from a thyroglossal duct cyst: a single institution experience

Endocr J. 2013;60(5):665-70. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.ej12-0366. Epub 2013 Jan 12.

Abstract

Thyroid cancers arising from a thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) are rarely reported. No clear consensus exists regarding optimal management. In this light, TGDC carcinomas recently treated at Asan Medical Center, as well as previously reported cases in the literature, were reviewed. There were ten patients who were diagnosed with TGDC carcinoma at our institution. All patients underwent pre-operative fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Nine patients were suspected of having papillary carcinoma following cytology. The Sistrunk operation (SO) was performed in four patients, SO with total thyroidectomy (SO/TT) was performed in three patients, and SO/TT with neck dissection was performed in three patients. Six patients who received total thyroidectomy underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy and T4 suppression. With a median follow-up period of 28.5 months, two patients showed recurrence and one of them died of the disease. We analyzed 163 cases from 1990 to 2012 with three or more cases TGDC carcinoma, including the present study. Among 48 patients who underwent FNAB, 75% had papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). SO, SO/TT, or SO/TT with neck dissection was performed in 27%, 41%, and 32% of patients, respectively. Among 119 patients who received total thyroidectomy, 36% had concomitant PTC in the thyroid. Among 52 patients who received neck dissection, 69% had cervical nodal involvement. The results of our review suggest that when TGDC carcinoma is suspected, ultrasonography and, if necessary, FNAB should be performed. If these tests reveal a suspected lesion in the thyroid or lymph node, SO/TT and lymph node dissection should be performed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma / secondary
  • Carcinoma / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Dissection
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Radiography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Republic of Korea
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroglossal Cyst / surgery*
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary
  • Thyroid Gland / radiation effects
  • Thyroid Gland / surgery*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals