[Differentiated thyroid cancer on the thyroglossal duct]

Over one hundred cases of carcinomas located on the thyroglossal duct have been reported worldwide. Most of these tumors originally were differentiated thyroid cancers. Their biological behavior is the same as that of tumors of the thyroid gland itself. On the basis of one case discovered in an 11-year-old girl, who presented with regional and systemic metastases, we discuss the various aspects of their origin, diagnosis and treatment. As far as the latter is concerned, we think that these tumors can not always be treated by exeresis of the thyroglossal duct. On the basis of the analysis of situations in which these tumors may be encountered, we propose a carcinological surgery, which might possibly be more aggressive, on the thyroid and cervical lymphatic tissues.