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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: April 17, 2013
[Papillary adenocarcinoma on ectopic thyroid tissue]
N Dib1, A Benhammou, M Meziane
1Service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, hôpital des spécialités, CHU de Rabat-Salé, Rabat, Maroc. F.NYA@hotmail.com
Objectives:
To report a case of papillary adenocarcinoma occurring on ectopic thyroid tissue in the hyoid bone region.
Material And Methods:
A 57-year-old patient consulted for a cervical mass appearing 1 year before, with no signs of compression. The thyroid function was normal.
Results:
The examination showed a firm tumefaction, fixed on the hyoid bone, with undetermined limits, measuring approximately 8 cm. The thyroid gland was in the normal pretracheal position. The cervical tomodensitometry objectified an osteolytic process centered on the hyoid bone with a fleshy zone of tissue density and calcifications. Cervical MRI provided a more precise assessment of the extension of the mass and confirmed the integrity of the other structures, in particular the endo-larynx. The tumor was totally resected via a cervical approach. The pathologic study suggested a papillary adenocarcinoma on ectopic thyroid tissue. The treatment was completed by a total thyroidectomy with normal histological results.
Conclusions:
Papillary adenocarcinoma on ectopic thyroid is a very rare situation. Its diagnosis is histological. Its treatment is primarily surgical, sometimes associated with radioiodine I-131 therapy.
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