Multifocal recurrence on the transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy incision

Abstract

Introduction: Robotic thyroidectomy (RT) has been reported to achieve satisfactory results. However, its long-term oncological results have not been validated. The use of RT to treat thyroid cancer comprises specific risks that are not encountered with open thyroidectomy (OT).

Case summary: We report the case of a patient operated by two-stage RT for stage pT3a follicular carcinoma, followed by tumour seeding along the incision despite adjuvant Iodine-131 therapy and external beam radiotherapy.

Discussion: This case illustrates the limitations and insufficient perspective of RT for thyroid cancer, with the recent discovery of a risk of tumour seeding along the incision. Rigorous patient selection should help to avoid this risk of tumour seeding.

Keywords: Dissemination; Recurrence on the incision; Robotic thyroidectomy; Thyroid carcinoma; Tumour seeding.