Differentiated thyroid cancer invading the hypopharynx: A case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Well-differentiated thyroid cancers, comprising 90-95% of cases, are typically localized within the thyroid gland.
• Invasion into the upper aerodigestive tract is uncommon for these thyroid cancers.
• Hypopharyngeal invasion by thyroid carcinoma is a rare occurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of thyroid cancer with hypopharyngeal invasion.
• To describe the successful surgical management of this rare presentation.
• To advocate for aggressive surgical intervention in similar cases.

Main Methods:

• A 51-year-old male patient with thyroid cancer invading the hypopharynx was identified.
• The patient underwent complete surgical resection of the thyroid cancer.
• A partial pharyngectomy was performed as part of the surgical management.

Main Results:

• The patient achieved complete resection of the thyroid carcinoma.
• Post-surgery, the patient remains asymptomatic.
• The patient has been disease-free for eighteen months following the intervention.

Conclusions:

• Aggressive surgical extirpation is a viable and effective treatment for thyroid carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive tract.
• Complete resection, including partial pharyngectomy when necessary, can lead to successful outcomes.
• This approach supports long-term disease-free survival in patients with advanced thyroid cancer.