Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer Mimicking Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2023 Jan 1;48(1):90-91. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004468. Epub 2022 Oct 26.

Abstract

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) metastasizing to the hypopharynx is extremely rare. Here, we describe FDG PET/CT findings of lesions in the posterior hypopharyngeal wall and left parapharyngeal space in a 58-year-old man who complained of blood in the sputum. The patient had a history of postoperative PTC. Therefore, hypopharyngeal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis was suspected. However, metastasis of PTC was pathologically confirmed after surgery. Hypopharyngeal metastasis of PTC is rare, which should be differentiated from hypopharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Papillary* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypopharynx / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Thyroid Cancer, Papillary / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / pathology