Open Access Highly Accessed Case report

Thyroid carcinoma with discharging sinus – a rarity: a case report

K Harish

Author Affiliations

Department of Surgical Oncology, Gokula Curie Cancer Centre, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore – 560054, India

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:64 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-64

Published: 27 February 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma with isolated involvement of skin is extremely rare. Presentation with a discharging sinus has not been reported.

Case presentation

This is a report of a 62 year old male patient with a long standing history of thyroid swelling which has metastasized to neck nodes and ulcerated over the midline resulting in a discharging sinus.

Conclusion

Extra thyroidal extension is seen in 4% to 16% of all well differentiated thyroid cancers. However there is only an isolated report of skin ulceration over the thyroid. This is a unique case where the ulceration resulted in a discharging sinus. Patient is alive after 2 years following successful therapy. Aggressive surgery is warranted for locally advanced thyroid cancer.