Unusual mesentery metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancer: a case report

Abstract

Distant metastases of well-differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTCs) to bone and lungs are well known, while intra-abdominal, mesenteric metastases are very rare. Herein, we report a case of intra-abdominal, mesenteric metastasis of WDTC. A 62-year-old man underwent thyroid lobectomy for follicular thyroid cancer. One year later, lung metastasis was observed. The patient simultaneously underwent lung wedge resection and complete thyroidectomy. Eleven years later, serum thyroglobulin level was elevated. On the work-up study, a metastatic lesion in the lungs and a mass in the mesentery were identified. Two lesions of the lung and mesentery were surgically resected. The mass in the mesentery was pathologically diagnosed as metastatic WDTC.

Keywords

• thyroid neoplasms
• metastasis
• mesentery
• abdominal cavity