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1: Int Semin Surg Oncol. 2008 May 27;5:14.Click here to read Click here to read Links

Metastatic Hurthle Cell Carcinoma of the thyroid presenting as a Breast Lump: A Case Report.

Al-Abed Y, Gray E, Wolfe K, Watters GW, Philpott JM.

The Breast Unit, Department of Surgery, Southend University Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RY, UK. yalabed@yahoo.co.uk.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare form of thyroid cancer. It may present as a low grade tumour or can present as a more aggressive metastatic carcinoma. Hurthle cell carcinoma has the highest incidence of metastasis among all differentiated thyroid cancers. Most commonly haematogenous spread to lungs, bones and brain, however spread to regional lymph nodes is not uncommon. The breast is a rare site for metastasis from extramammary sources. We present the first case of breast metastasis from Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 77 year old lady who had total thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissection followed by radiotherapy for a high grade metastatic Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Ten months later she presented to the breast clinic with left breast lump and a lump at the left axilla. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the lumps and histology after wide local excision of the breast lump confirmed metastatic Hurthle cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The presence of breast lumps in patients with history of extramammary cancer should raise the possibility of metastasis.

PMID: 18505578 [PubMed - in process]

PMCID: PMC2409361

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  • Thyroid (Armour® Thyroid)

    Thyroid is a hormone produced by the body. When taken correctly, thyroid is used to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism (a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone). Symptoms of hypothyr...

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