Solitary metachronous metastasis to the thyroid from renal clear cell carcinoma 19 years after nephrectomy: report of a case.

Abstract

We report a rare case of a solitary metachronous metastasis of renal clear cell carcinoma (RCC) presenting as a thyroid tumor 19 years after a nephrectomy. Our search of the English-language literature found only sporadic reports of late RCC metastases to the thyroid. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid tumor was not accompanied with thyroglobulin (Tg) staining, leading us to initially suspect a primary follicular thyroid carcinoma. The patient, a 77-year-old man, underwent a total thyroidectomy with modified neck dissection. Histological examination confirmed the tumor to be RCC metastasis, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that both Tg and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) were negative in the tumor cells. Thus, the possibility of late RCC metastasis to the thyroid should be considered, even in a patient with a remote history. Furthermore, TTF-1 is useful for identifying thyroid metastatic carcinomas.

• Authors: Nobuyuki Wada, Shohei Hirakawa, Yasushi Rino, Kimiatsu Hasuo, Kae Kawachi, Yukio Nakatani, Kenji Inui, Yoshinori Takanashi
• Journal: Surgery today (Surg Today) Vol. 35 Issue 6 Pg. 483-7 ( 2005) ISSN: 0941-1291 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 15912297 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• NKX2-1 protein, human
• Nuclear Proteins
• Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
• Transcription Factors
• Thyroglobulin

Topics

• Aged
• Carcinoma, Renal Cell (secondary)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Kidney Neoplasms (mortality)
• Lymph Node Excision
• Male
• Nuclear Proteins (metabolism)
• Thyroglobulin (metabolism)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (pathology, secondary, surgery)
• Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
• Thyroidectomy
• Time Factors
• Transcription Factors (metabolism)