Primary papillary carcinoma in thyroglossal cysts. Case reports and literature review

The thyroglossal cyst can exceptionally appear as a primary cyst carcinoma. We discuss a series of 6 adult patients, assessed for long-lasting asymptomatic suprahyoid or lateral-to-larynx mass. The images showed a heterogeneous mass invading adjacent soft tissues. Fine needle aspiration biopsy did not contribute to diagnosis. We performed a Sistrunk procedure in all cases, 3 combined with total thyroidectomy and 1 with neck dissection. The postoperative course was favourable. No additional treatment was required, without evidence of recurrence in follow-up. The management is controversial due to the limited number of cases reported. Some classifications based on size and extent have been proposed to define the surgical treatment of such cysts.