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Papillary thyroid carcinoma without metastases manifesting as an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule
Takafumi Majima1, Kentaro Doi, Yasato Komatsu
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Rakuwakai Otowa Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Endocrine Journal
|July 12, 2005
Summary
This report details a rare case of papillary thyroid carcinoma within a functioning thyroid nodule. Even "hot" nodules, typically benign, require careful evaluation to rule out malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer.
- Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (hot nodules) are typically associated with benign conditions.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old woman presented with weight loss and neck swelling.
- Thyroid ultrasonography revealed a nonhomogeneous nodule in the left lobe.
- Thyroid scintigraphy using 99mTc and 123I showed a "hot" nodule with suppressed uptake in surrounding tissue.
Findings:
- Histopathology confirmed papillary adenocarcinoma within the nodule.
- Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for thyroid hormones.
- The nodule was diagnosed as a functioning papillary adenocarcinoma.
Implications:
- Thyroid carcinoma can rarely present as a "hot" nodule on scintigraphy.
- "Hot" nodules require thorough investigation to exclude malignancy.
- Careful management of "hot" nodules is crucial to avoid overlooking thyroid cancer.