Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report

Abstract Background Carcinoma of the uterine cervix (cervical cancer) metastasising to the thyroid gland is a rare phenomenon and only a few cases have been reported. We discuss a patient with cervical cancer presenting with thyroid and cervical lymph node metastasis, exploring the diagnostic diffic...

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Main Authors: Sanjeevan Ravindrakumar, Nanduni Thalahitiyage, Nagenthiram Harivallavan, Umesh Jayarajah, Vitharanage Srimantha Dewsiri Rodrigo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Japan Surgical Society 2021-12-01
Series:Surgical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-021-01341-1
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author Sanjeevan Ravindrakumar
Nanduni Thalahitiyage
Nagenthiram Harivallavan
Umesh Jayarajah
Vitharanage Srimantha Dewsiri Rodrigo
author_facet Sanjeevan Ravindrakumar
Nanduni Thalahitiyage
Nagenthiram Harivallavan
Umesh Jayarajah
Vitharanage Srimantha Dewsiri Rodrigo
author_sort Sanjeevan Ravindrakumar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Carcinoma of the uterine cervix (cervical cancer) metastasising to the thyroid gland is a rare phenomenon and only a few cases have been reported. We discuss a patient with cervical cancer presenting with thyroid and cervical lymph node metastasis, exploring the diagnostic difficulty, evaluation and treatment options. Case presentation A previously well 56-year-old female presented with multiple neck lumps for 4 months duration. Examination of the neck revealed multiple firm/hard left cervical lymph nodes with a hard thyroid nodule. There were no abdominal masses however, vaginal examination revealed a hard, unhealthy cervix. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a growth in the uterine cervix with lymph node enlargement in the abdomen, chest and neck along with multiple thyroid nodules. Biopsy of the cervix and cervical lymph node and fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid nodules were performed, all revealing a squamous cell carcinoma. Pan-endoscopy performed to rule out any concurrent cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract was negative. The patient was started on palliative therapy, but succumbed to the disease after 6 months. Discussion and conclusion Patients who present with a thyroid nodule along with multiple cervical lymph nodes should be thoroughly assessed for possible metastatic cancers. Metastasis to the thyroid gland indicates a poor prognosis in the background of carcinoma or the uterine cervix. More awareness among the public and primary care providers is necessary regarding freely available screening programmes for early detection of cervical cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-b48be66e73c84e39a20bb8b86949cb5a2025-08-20T03:38:43ZengJapan Surgical SocietySurgical Case Reports2198-77932021-12-01711510.1186/s40792-021-01341-1Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case reportSanjeevan Ravindrakumar0Nanduni Thalahitiyage1Nagenthiram Harivallavan2Umesh Jayarajah3Vitharanage Srimantha Dewsiri Rodrigo4Department of Surgery, District General Hospital ChilawDepartment of Surgery, District General Hospital ChilawDepartment of Surgery, District General Hospital ChilawDepartment of Surgery, District General Hospital ChilawDepartment of Surgery, District General Hospital ChilawAbstract Background Carcinoma of the uterine cervix (cervical cancer) metastasising to the thyroid gland is a rare phenomenon and only a few cases have been reported. We discuss a patient with cervical cancer presenting with thyroid and cervical lymph node metastasis, exploring the diagnostic difficulty, evaluation and treatment options. Case presentation A previously well 56-year-old female presented with multiple neck lumps for 4 months duration. Examination of the neck revealed multiple firm/hard left cervical lymph nodes with a hard thyroid nodule. There were no abdominal masses however, vaginal examination revealed a hard, unhealthy cervix. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a growth in the uterine cervix with lymph node enlargement in the abdomen, chest and neck along with multiple thyroid nodules. Biopsy of the cervix and cervical lymph node and fine needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid nodules were performed, all revealing a squamous cell carcinoma. Pan-endoscopy performed to rule out any concurrent cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract was negative. The patient was started on palliative therapy, but succumbed to the disease after 6 months. Discussion and conclusion Patients who present with a thyroid nodule along with multiple cervical lymph nodes should be thoroughly assessed for possible metastatic cancers. Metastasis to the thyroid gland indicates a poor prognosis in the background of carcinoma or the uterine cervix. More awareness among the public and primary care providers is necessary regarding freely available screening programmes for early detection of cervical cancer.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-021-01341-1Carcinoma uterine cervixCervical cancerThyroid metastasisSquamous cell carcinomaCase report
spellingShingle Sanjeevan Ravindrakumar
Nanduni Thalahitiyage
Nagenthiram Harivallavan
Umesh Jayarajah
Vitharanage Srimantha Dewsiri Rodrigo
Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
Surgical Case Reports
Carcinoma uterine cervix
Cervical cancer
Thyroid metastasis
Squamous cell carcinoma
Case report
title Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
title_full Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
title_fullStr Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
title_short Squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland: a case report
title_sort squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix metastasising to the thyroid gland a case report
topic Carcinoma uterine cervix
Cervical cancer
Thyroid metastasis
Squamous cell carcinoma
Case report
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-021-01341-1
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