Primary thyroid squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a left-sided neck lump.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Neck lumps in the elderly frequently raise concerns for malignancy.
• While thyroid cancers are common, rarer subtypes like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are infrequently reported and can be aggressive.
• Primary thyroid SCC is a rare diagnosis with limited literature.

Observation:

• An 83-year-old woman presented with a 7-month history of an enlarging left-sided neck swelling.
• Fine-needle aspiration cytology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• Staging imaging excluded other primary tumor sites.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with primary thyroid squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a rare entity.
• Surgical resection is identified as the optimal treatment for this rare thyroid cancer.

Implications:

• Recognizing primary thyroid SCC in elderly patients with neck lumps is crucial.
• Prompt referral to head and neck specialists facilitates timely surgical management.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of primary thyroid SCC can lead to improved prognosis and reduced mortality rates.