Carcinoma in thyroglossal duct remnants

Area of Science:

• Head and Neck Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Thyroglossal duct remnants are congenital anomalies that can rarely harbor malignancy.
• Carcinoma arising in these remnants is an infrequent occurrence, accounting for less than 1% of thyroglossal duct abnormalities.

Observation:

• This report details two new cases, bringing the total documented cases to 80.
• The clinical and pathological features of these tumors closely resemble primary thyroid gland neoplasms.

Findings:

• Papillary adenocarcinomas represent the predominant histology, comprising 75-85% of reported cases.
• Metastasis is infrequently observed, with most tumors confined to the thyroglossal duct remnant.

Implications:

• Surgical excision (Sistrunk procedure) is the primary treatment for localized lesions.
• Thyroid ablation and neck dissection are necessary for metastatic or multifocal disease. Prognosis is generally favorable.