Lingual ectopic papillary thyroid carcinoma: Two case reports and review of the literature

Abstract

Ectopic thyroid occurs when it is not located on the normal thyroid compartment. While 90% of the ectopic thyroids were located at the base of the tongue, only 1% were lingual thyroid carcinoma (LTC). Only 56 LTC cases have been reported so far. Here we reported two cases of LTC. Patient 1 was a 47-year-old female with LTC and co-current sub-hyoid ectopic thyroid. She experienced major hematemesis and dyspnea requiring emergent tracheotomy. Patient 2 was a 61-year old female who was presented with LTC with multiple lymph node metastasis and bilateral lung metastasis. Both of the patients' lingual masses were removed via trans-submaxillary excisions. Pathology revealed ectopic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Then they were treated with radio-active iodine (RAI). These patients had full recovery and there were no complications. A review of literature was also presented.

Keywords: Ectopic thyroid carcinoma; Head and neck cancer; Lingual thyroid carcinoma; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Thyroid cancer.