Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: We aim to describe the clinical features and the particular presentation of rare thyroid gland tumors and to discuss their management modalities

Materials and methods: In this study, we report 4 cases of the following rare thyroid gland tumors: Squamous cell carcinoma, Hamartoma and lymphoma of the thyroid gland.

ResultsFirst case: A 85-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of dysphonia and dysphoni. Clinical examination revealed a swelling at the thyroid gland region measuring 2 cm. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan showed a heterogeneous goiter. The mass biopsy showed an infiltration of the thyroid gland by a Burkitt Lymphoma. The patient was placed under steroids and immunosuppressants. However, after a follow-up period of 1 month, symptoms did not regress.

Second case: A 44-year-old female presented with an inferior neck swelling with dysphagia. At clinical examination, we noted an inferior neck mass measuring 12 cm associated to an immobile right vocal fold. Ultrasound and CT scan showed a hypertrophy of the right thyroid gland lobe that repressed the trachea. We performed a partial right thyroidectomy and recorded a B lymphoma. The patient received chemotherapy. However, we lost the patient after 4 months due to a disease progression.

Third case: A 54-year-old female presented with a 4-cm mass at the thyroid gland region that was adherent to the trachea. It was associated to dysphonia and dyspnea CT scan revealed a right thyroid gland mass with a tracheal invasion. We performed a total thyroidectomy with a bilateral neck dissection. Histopathology demonstrated a papillary thyroid carcinoma associated to a squamous cell carcinoma. The patient received radioactive iodine treatment. Follow-up after 2 years did not show any disease recurrence.

Fourth case: A 4-year-old child presented with a lateral neck swelling evolving for 5 months. It measured 3 cm and was located at the right paramedian neck region. Ultrasound showed a regular, heterogeneous and hypo-vascularized peri-thyroid gland mass. At CT scan, the mass had a fat-like density without contrast enhancement. We performed a surgical resection of the mass. Peri-opertavely, the mass originated from the thyroid gland and had a lipoma-like aspect. Histopathological examination revealed a thyroid gland hamartoma. We did not record any recurrence after 6 months.

Conclusion: Non-epithelial forms of thyroid gland tumors are exceptional. They need to be suspected in atypical presentation of a thyroid gland mass.