Thyroid papillary carcinoma presenting as jaw and parotid gland metastases

A slowly progressing colloidal goiter of 20 years standing was excised in a 67-year old woman. Two years later, a metastatic tumor inducing facial swelling was diagnosed radiologically in the left parotid gland and left ascending mandibular ramus. The incisional biopsy confirmed papillary carcinoma of thyroid origin. The patient refused treatment. Six months later, she returned to the clinic and presented with advanced destructive changes of the involved structures. This rare case of unrestricted malignant growth may shed light upon the sequence and mode of metastatic invasion.