[Results of tracheal or esophageal resections in invasive thyroid carcinomas]

Thyroid liposarcoma: a case report

Objectives

Thyroid liposarcoma is a rare tumor. Its low prevalence accounts for the scarcity of data in the literature, which consists mostly of small studies and case reports.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 60 years old male with no past medical or past surgical history and presented with neck discomfort and a large left thyroid nodule. Thyroid ultrasound and CT scan were performed and confirmed the existence of a thyroid nodule most probably inside the left inferior thyroid lobe. In the posterior mediastinum, two fatty formations were found. To complete, an MRI was performed, showing a mixed lesion, of the lower neck and upper chest. The patient underwent an extended resection which consisted of an en bloc resection of the lesion (left thyroid lobectomy and isthmus resection) by an anterior transverse cervical incision and a sternotomy. Tracheal and laryngeal shaving and esophageal shaving with resection of the esophageal muscularis was performed as well. The pathological evaluation of the specimen showed a grade II dedifferentiated liposarcoma with an inflammatory component.

Conclusions

Thyroid liposarcoma is a rare lesion of the thyroid. Its management requires an exhaustive workup followed by an en bloc resection of the lesion. Depending on the histology, postoperative radiation therapy may or may not be necessary.

[Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: aggressive radical resection and cervical reconstruction. A case report]

STUDY AIM

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid is a rare but highly malignant tumor. The goal of this study was to present the case of a patient who underwent a multimodal treatment and to analyze prognosis factors.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We present the case of a patient treated in 1996 for an anaplasic thyroid carcinoma with cervical cutaneous invasion. The initial surgical procedure was a total thyroidectomy extended to the anterior cervical skin associated to bilateral neck dissection. The patient underwent a differed reconstruction with musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. Management was then supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

RESULTS

This patient is free of tumor 9 years after this multimodal management. She does not present any functionary sequela and plastic results of the reconstruction is considered as very satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

Anaplastic carcinoma is one of more aggressive neoplasm affecting humans. This case report suggests that multimodality therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may offer hope for long-term survival. A musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap is a reliable solution to cover this large cervical defect.