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Updated: May 3, 2026
05:39
Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
Published on: February 3, 2023
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Nodular metastatic lung tumor from thyroid carcinoma
Koichi Kurishima1, Katsunori Kagohashi, Atsushi Ishibashi
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Mito Medical Center, University of Tsukuba, Mito, Ibaraki, Japan.
Summary
Thyroid cancer rarely spreads to the lungs as large nodules. This case highlights that even large pulmonary nodules can be a rare sign of distant papillary thyroid cancer metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Thyroid cancer, particularly papillary thyroid cancer, can metastasize to distant sites.
- Pulmonary metastases from thyroid cancer typically manifest as diffuse micronodular or miliary patterns.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old woman with a 17-year history of treated papillary thyroid cancer presented with significant pulmonary nodules.
- Chest radiography revealed metastatic nodules measuring up to 15 mm in diameter.
Findings:
- The observed pulmonary nodules were unusually large for thyroid cancer metastasis, deviating from the typical presentation.
- This case represents a rare instance of large-nodule pulmonary metastasis from a long-treated thyroid cancer.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider the possibility of thyroid cancer metastasis, even with atypical presentations like large pulmonary nodules.
- This finding underscores the importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation in patients with a history of thyroid cancer presenting with pulmonary abnormalities.
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