Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid associated with sarcoidosis

A case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid occurring in association with systemic sarcoidosis is reported. Although benign thyroid disorders occurring in conjunction with sarcoidosis have previously been documented, a search of the literature found no report of thyroid carcinoma occurring in association with sarcoidosis. Diagnosis and therapeutic management prove difficult when thyroid carcinoma and sarcoidosis co-exist. Transbronchial biopsy of lung lesions is warranted in staging thyroid carcinoma in order to exclude the possibility of unknown co-existent disease. The management of cervical lymphadenopathy in thyroid carcinoma should not be altered because of the presence of sarcoidosis, and should include a neck dissection.