Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Paediatric Patient

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine cancer in the paediatric population. Although the disease is diagnosed at a later stage, the prognosis is favourable. When these patients present with lymph nodal and/or pulmonary metastases, they may be initially confused for infectious disea...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nthabiseng Ellen Mothata, Takalani Gidion Morulana, Nyaweleni Tshifularo, Phumudzo Bridgett Nemutaduni, Nozipho Elizabeth Nyakale, Moshawa Calvin Khaba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2021-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Endocrinology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6655491
Description
Summary:Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine cancer in the paediatric population. Although the disease is diagnosed at a later stage, the prognosis is favourable. When these patients present with lymph nodal and/or pulmonary metastases, they may be initially confused for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Therefore, thorough clinical assessment including radiology and microbiological and histopathological assessment is important for early and correct diagnosis. We report an 11-year-old female patient who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and the histopathological assessment confirmed metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. Subsequent radiological investigation revealed further metastasis to the lung. This manuscript highlights the difficulties that might be encountered in the initial management of paediatric PTC which present atypically.
ISSN:2090-6501
2090-651X