Primary ectopic substernal thyroid cancer with trachea relapse: a case report and opinions of management. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ma, Rui-Min; Lv, Lin; Zheng, Shu-Rong; You, Jie; Huang, Du-ping; Guo, Gui-Long
• Is Part Of: World journal of surgical oncology. Volume 14:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Ectopic thyroid cancer -- Substernal -- Local invasion -- Trachea relapse -- Stent; Cancer -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery, Operative -- Periodicals; 616.994059
• DOI: 10.1186/s12957-016-0853-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-7819

Abstract

Abstract Background Ectopic substernal thyroid is a rare symptom of thyroid disease that entirely results from the developmental defects at early stages of thyroid embryogenesis and during its descent. Cases were seldom reported as primary ectopic substernal thyroid cancer, especially those with severe local invasion and tracheal relapse. Case Presentation In this report, the patient presented odynophagia and a sense of progressing swallowing obstruction. She underwent total thyroidectomy and lump resection. However, she refused to use postoperative radioactive iodine or take adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy, except for thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Tracheal relapse was observed after 6 months. Tracheal stent was used to reconstruct the airway twice. Conclusions Trachea invasion might be a worse independent predictor of prognosis than any others and should be given particular attention. Furthermore, tracheal stent might be a palliative option for patients with tracheal relapse.