[Intrathyroidal metastases of a nephroepithelioma. Reflections on 5 operated cases]

Out of 3,340 thyroidectomies (237 for cancer), the authors report 5 cases of thyroid metastases due to clear cell renal cancer. They emphasize the slow development of these metastases. Two cases were operated on 11 years after nephrectomy and one after 27 years. In one case, an intrathyroid metastasis led to the discovery of renal carcinoma. In 3 cases, evolution was rapidly fatal (within the first year). One patient is still alive 6 years after thyroidectomy. The authors emphasize clinical grounds for diagnosis and expose pathology findings that favor longer survival when there is early removal of intrathyroid metastases.