Papillary carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal cyst

Carcinoma arising in a congenital thyroglossal cyst is rare, with less than 150 cases reported worldwide. This is a case report of a papillary carcinoma arising within a thyroglossal cyst in a 51 year old woman. Management of this condition remains controversial. Most of these tumours arise from ectopic thyroid tissue within the cyst. Prognosis is good as metastasis is uncommon. Sistrunk procedure is adequate if histology does not reveal extracystic extension.