Aggressive behavior of papillary microcarcinoma in a patient with Graves' disease initially presenting as cystic neck mass

J Endocrinol Invest. 2002 Mar;25(3):250-3. doi: 10.1007/BF03343999.

Abstract

Prognosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid associated with Graves' disease is controversial; nevertheless, tumors smaller than 1 cm (microcarcinoma) are usually considered to render a good prognosis. We describe a patient with Graves' disease who developed a lateral cystic neck mass that was later confirmed to be a metastatic lymph node from papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Contrary to having a good prognosis with a microcarcinoma, our patient developed bilateral lung metastases. The possible role of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins in the aggressive course of the tumor is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / complications
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Papillary / therapy
  • Female
  • Graves Disease / complications*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Thyroxine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Thyroxine