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04:01
Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Simultaneous medullary and papillary thyroid cancer: two case reports
Gianlorenzo Dionigi1, Patrizia Castano, Valentina Bertolini
1Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. gianlorenzo.dionigi@uninsubria.it.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|November 14, 2007
Summary
This study reports two rare cases of simultaneous papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in the same thyroid gland. The findings prompt discussion on common tumorigenic pathways for distinct thyroid cell types.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are distinct entities with differing incidence, cell origin, and histopathological features.
- The simultaneous occurrence of both PTC and MTC in a single thyroid gland is exceptionally rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and analyze two unique cases of concurrent MTC and PTC.
- To contribute to the limited literature on combined thyroid carcinomas.
- To explore potential common tumorigenic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Description of two distinct cases of simultaneous MTC and PTC.
- Case 1 involved multicentric tumors, a composite carcinoma with mixed features, and lymphocytic thyroiditis.
- Case 2 highlighted a long disease-free follow-up of 16 years.
Main Results:
- Two cases of concurrent MTC and PTC were identified.
- Case 1 presented unique features including a composite carcinoma and associated thyroiditis.
- Case 2 demonstrated a favorable long-term outcome.
Conclusions:
- The literature review identified only 20 previously reported cases of concurrent PTC and MTC.
- The study raises questions about whether these co-occurrences are coincidental or indicative of shared oncogenic pathways.
- Further research is needed to understand the potential common tumorigenesis in follicular and parafollicular thyroid cells.
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