Author/Authors :
Ibrahim, Mohd-Irman-Shah Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - School of Medical Sciences - Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus , Malaysia , Jusoh, Yusri-Rahimi Department of Surgery - School of Medical Sciences - Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus , Malaysia , Adam, Nurul-Nadhihah Department of Pathology - Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah , Malaysia , Mohamad, Irfan Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - School of Medical Sciences - Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus , Malaysia
Abstract :
Introduction: Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid gland is one of the rarest types of all reported thyroid malignancies worldwide. It is very aggressive in nature and carries a poor prognosis. The surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the most recommended treatment despite its poor reported outcome. Case Report: A 74-year-old woman presented with a rapidly progressive neck swelling, with hoarseness and compressive symptoms. Physical examination revealed a multilobulated firm thyroid mass with unilateral vocal cord palsy. Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of SCC while radiological investigations and panendoscopy findings ruled out the possibility of other primary tumors. A surgical intervention was performed; however, the patient eventually succumbed to death prior to undergoing an oncological treatment. Conclusion: With no standard consensus to guide the management plan, SCC of the thyroid gland presents a great challenge for the managing team to come up with the best treatment option, due to its unfavorable rate of survival.
