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Updated: May 16, 2026
03:55
Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Thyroid Cancer Initially Presenting Compression Fracture without Common Thyroid Symptoms.
Dong Hwan Kim1, Seung Don Yoo, Sung Min Kim
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
|November 28, 2012
Summary
Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) rarely presents as distant metastasis. This case highlights FTC presenting with vertebral metastasis causing back and buttock pain, not typical neck symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is the second most common thyroid cancer subtype.
- Typical FTC presentations include thyroid nodules or neck lymphadenopathy.
- Distant metastasis occurs in 1-9% of thyroid cancer cases, with bone metastasis being rare (2-3%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an unusual case of follicular thyroid carcinoma.
- To emphasize atypical presentations of FTC.
- To highlight vertebral metastasis as an initial symptom.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with follicular thyroid carcinoma.
- Review of clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment.
- Literature review on metastatic patterns of FTC.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with low back and right buttock pain.
- Initial diagnosis was vertebral metastasis from an unknown primary tumor.
- Subsequent investigations revealed follicular thyroid carcinoma as the cause.
Conclusions:
- Follicular thyroid carcinoma can present atypically with bone metastasis.
- Vertebral metastasis may be the initial symptom, preceding thyroid-related complaints.
- This case underscores the importance of considering rare metastatic presentations in oncology.
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