A rare invasion route for differentiated thyroid carcinoma: The tracheoesophageal common party wall

Thyroid carcinoma can infiltrate the aerodigestive tract. Invasion via the common party wall of the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG) is rare. A review of patients with thyroid cancer invading the aerodigestive tract was performed. We describe three cases of invasive thyroid cancer presenting 4 to 6 years after the initial thyroidectomy. Original pathology showed positive margins near the recurrent laryngeal nerve and TEG. A partial tracheal resection with a stair-step reconstruction was performed in one case; the other cases required total laryngopharyngectomy. Surgeons should be prepared to perform oncologically complete resections at the primary surgery to avoid potentially significant clinical consequences requiring aggressive surgery. Laryngoscope, 129:E455-E459, 2019.