Renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid gland: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background In this article, we report a case of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the thyroid gland. Occult lesions of the thyroid were treated with a thyroidectomy. The case history presented below describes the patient’s pathway and subsequent results. Case presentation A routine medical examination of a 58-year-old Ukrainian woman revealed lesions in her thyroid gland. In total, two nodules 3.5 cm and 1.5 cm wide were found in the gland using ultrasound. Features of thyroid nodules were classified as Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 3. A fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules. Before this, the patient had a right-sided nephrectomy. The histopathology report confirmed renal cell carcinoma. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy 13 years ago with confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid gland. Subsequent surgeries aimed at removing the local recurrences and distant metastases of the primary site. The patient got six cycles of Sunitinib (Sutent™, Pfizer) chemotherapy for renal cell carcinoma. Today, she lives in another country as a refugee and visits home occasionally. The patient takes thyroxine and waits for a suitable treatment option to cure advanced renal cell carcinoma. Conclusion A comprehensive investigation of the patient’s case history is crucial for determining a correct diagnosis. In our case, metastases to the thyroid were found 13 years after the initial renal cell carcinoma diagnosis. Moreover, foci of renal cancer cells in other organs indicates advanced disease with subsequent recurrence and distant metastases. Renal cell carcinoma may cause thyroid nodules.

Keywords

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid metastases
• RCC
• Thyroid gland
• Thyroid surgery