Novel operative approach to double primary cancers of the breast and thyroid and its effects on cosmesis and the accuracy of follow-up examinations

Abstract

For the treatment of double primary cancer of the breast and thyroid, endoscopic thyroidectomy might be an excellent option in terms of cosmesis; however, it may not offer curability, and it makes the accuracy of follow-up examinations difficult. The postoperative scars after endoscopic thyroidectomy may modify the estimation of recurrence. To achieve improve cosmesis and the accuracy of follow-up examination, we developed a novel method for thyroid surgery: hybrid-type endoscopic thyroidectomy (HET). Here we report two cases of double primary cancer, one synchronous and the other metachronous. HET lobectomy and HET total thyroidectomy were performed in combination with some modifications of breast surgery. In each case, the postoperative course was uneventful, and cosmetic satisfaction was very high. Furthermore, there were no problems during the follow-up period. Based on our results, HET could become a standardized treatment of double primary cancers.

Keywords: Cosmesis; double primary cancer; hybrid-type endoscopic thyroidectomy.