Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Papillary thyroid carcinoma”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Renal metastases from papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer. It is estimated that 4% to 20% of patients with papillary carcinoma will develop distant metastases during the course of their disease, most commonly to lung and bones. We describe the rare occurrence of metastatic papillary carcinoma of the thyroid to the kidney in a living patient that was successfully treated with a right radical nephrectomy and 131I with complete disappearance of all metastatic disease.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2005

Mutational activation of BRAF is not a major event in sporadic childhood papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma may encompass a mixed group of neoplasms where divergence in clinical behavior may reflect distinct genetic alterations. For example, young patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma have a better prognosis than affected adults, and their carcinomas are much more likely to harbor chromosomal rearrangements involving the RET proto-oncogene. Mutational activation of the BRAF oncogene has recently been identified as the most common genetic alteration in papillary thyroid carcinoma, but little is known about its frequency as a function of patient age. We tested 20 papillary thyroid carcinomas from young patients ranging from 10 to 17 years of age for the thymine (T) --> adenine (A) missense mutation at nucleotide 1796 in the BRAF gene using a newly developed assay that employs a novel primer extension method (Mutector assay). The prevalence of BRAF mutation was compared with a larger group of papillary thyroid carcinomas from previously tested adult patients (>20 years). BRAF mutations were not common in papillary thyroid carcinomas from young patients compared to their counterparts in adults (20 vs 77%; OR=13.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.4-56.5; P<0.0001), but they become increasingly prevalent with advancing patient age (OR as a function of age at 10-year intervals=1.80 CI=1.33-2.44; P<0.001). Unlike papillary thyroid carcinomas that arise in adults, mutational activation of BRAF is not a major genetic alteration in papillary thyroid carcinomas that arise in young patients. The increasing frequency of BRAF mutations as a function of age could help account for the well documented but poorly understood observation that age is a relevant prognostic indicator for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Can we rely on pathologic parameters to define conservative treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma?

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the thyroid and usually behaves in an indolent fashion. At most institutions these tumors are treated by near-total or total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine ablation. The 2 main reasons for this extensive treatment include high rate of multicentricity in papillary carcinoma and difficulty in ablating large thyroid remnants with radioactive iodine after partial thyroidectomy. Some authors believe, however, that this treatment protocol may not be justified in all cases of papillary carcinoma. We analyzed 253 total thyroidectomies performed for papillary thyroid carcinoma for the following pathologic variables: tumor size, presence of tumor capsular and/or vascular invasion, intrathyroidal spread, tumor in the contralateral lobe, and lymph node metastases. Tumors measuring less than 1 cm and those with extrathyroidal soft tissue extension were excluded from this study. Among 253 cases (197 females, 56 males, age range 14-88 years), the primary tumor size ranged from 1-9.5 cm; 162 cases were completely encapsulated. Tumor capsule invasion was seen in 139 (86%) and vascular invasion was present in 32 (13%) cases; of these 27 (11% of the total) patients showed both tumor capsule and vascular invasion. Seventy-four (29%) patients showed tumor in the contralateral lobe; in 35 (47%) of these cases the contralateral tumor measured less than 1.0 cm. Lymph nodes were sampled in 106 cases, metastases were present in 67 (67/106 = 63%) and only 16 cases with lymph node metastases showed contralateral tumors. No significant correlation was noted between tumor size, occurrence of contralateral tumors, and lymph node metastases. Seventy-one percent of cases included in this study failed to show contralateral tumors. Hence, pathologic parameters such as lack of vascular invasion and lack of multifocality may be used to identify patients who can benefit from conservative therapy alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Nuclear accumulation of MDM2 protein in well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy. Of all solid cancers presenting in adults, papillary thyroid cancer generally carries the best long-term prognosis. However, very little is understood about the molecular pathogenesis of this neoplasm. We recently hypothesized that increased nuclear levels of MDM2 protein might occur in well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinomas (Gerasimov et al., Exp. Mol. Pathol. 62, 52-62, 1995). MDM2 is known to complex with and inactive the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Since p53 inactivation by gene mutation has an established role in the pathogenesis of undifferentiated (anaplastic) thyroid carcinoma, we reasoned that abrogation of p53 function by nuclear MDM2 protein accumulation might participate in the pathogenesis of certain well-differentiated thyroid cancers such as papillary cancer. In the present report we present the first direct evidence of MDM2 protein accumulation in the nuclei of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells in a subset of tumors. Using the IF-2 monoclonal antibody, which reacts specifically with human MDM2 protein, we studied 24 well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinomas and 26 benign lesions (nodular goiters, adenomas, thyroiditis). Nuclear staining was quantitated using the CAS computerized image analysis system. We found positive nuclear MDM2 immunoreactivity in 8 (33%) of the carcinomas. In contrast, MDM2 staining was negative in all benign lesions (P = 0.001, two-tailed Fisher exact test). Normal thyroid tissue was also negative. These data suggest that nuclear accumulation of MDM2 protein might be implicated in the pathogenesis of a subset of papillary carcinomas. Further studies to investigate this possibility are warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Hemorrhagic cerebellar metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma has a low incidence of distant metastases. Brain metastasis is extremely rare with a frequency of 0.1-1.3%. In the present series, the rate was 1.5%, only two cases had cerebral metastases in 136 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma from January 1988 to April 1998. Cerebellar metastasis is even rarer, and solitary cerebellar metastasis has not been reported to the best of our knowledge. Two cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma with cerebellar metastases presenting as tumor hemorrhage are reported. In one patient, the lesion was in the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres with obstructive hydrocephalus. After operation, the patient had an uneventful course with recovery of her consciousness. In the other, the solitary lesion was in the left cerebellar hemisphere without obstructive hydrocephalus. After surgical treatment, the patient had a smooth course with resolution of his neurological deficit. It shows the importance of surgery in the management of a hemorrhagic cerebellar metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma, not only in reducing acute aggravating cerebral symptoms, but also in prolonging survival time.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2005

VEGF-D expression and lymph vessels play an important role for lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes, and lymph node metastasis increases the risk of local regional relapse. Recent evidence suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D) promotes lymphangiogenesis, which in turn promotes lymphatic metastasis. Therefore, the role of VEGF-D messenger RNA transcript levels and VEGF-D immunoreactivity in lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma was investigated. In addition, the role of blood vascular vessel, lymph vessel, and Flt-4-positive vessel densities were studied in relation to their suspected association with lymph node metastasis, and with VEGF-D expression. VEGF-D messenger RNA transcript levels by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and VEGF-D immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry in 49 papillary thyroid carcinomas were also studied. This was followed by quantitative immunohistochemical staining for CD34, podoplanin, and Flt-4. Lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with VEGF-D messenger RNA transcript levels (P=0.027) and VEGF-D immunoreactivity (P=0.019). Increased lymph vessel density was also correlated with VEGF-D expression and lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that VEGF-D expression and increased lymph vessel density may have an important role for lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Significance of biologic aggressiveness and proliferating activity in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma is a frequent thyroid cancer. Many factors have been reported to be of prognostic importance, but the significance of biologic factors suggesting aggressiveness and proliferating activity has not been sufficiently documented. Conventional prognostic factors such as age, extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node and distant metastasis, and biologic factors including histologic differentiation, DNA ploidy, S-phase and G2M-phase fractions, and expression of CD44 variant 6 (CD44-v6) obtained from 131 patients who underwent surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma at Osaka Police Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Age was closely related to extrathyroidal invasion, G2M-phase fraction, and CD44-v6 expression. Extrathyroidal invasion was independently related to age, gender, and lymph node metastasis. The grade of lymph node metastasis was related to extrathyroidal invasion, gender, distant metastasis, and CD44-v6 expression. Distant metastasis was associated with aneuploid tumors. Cause-specific survival was independently related to biologic factors including extrathyroidal invasion, distant metastasis, DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction. These results suggest that biologic factors indicating aggressiveness and proliferating activity are important for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Association of allelic loss on 1q, 4p, 7q, 9p, 9q, and 16q with postoperative death in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinomas, most of which are characterized by slow growth and good prognosis, account for the majority of thyroid carcinomas. To provide appropriate postoperative management, it is important to classify them by prediction of their prognosis. To find genetic markers associated with poor prognosis, allelic loss at all 39 nonacrocentric chromosome arms was compared in 24 deceased cases and 45 age-, sex-, stage-, and type-matched survived cases. Allelic loss was examined in primary tumors from both groups using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers on 39 nonacrocentric autosomal arms. Age at diagnosis, sex, stage, and types of tumors were matched between the two groups. No recurrent tumor was used for DNA analysis. Mean fractional allelic loss in the deceased and survived cases was 0.10+/-0.08 and 0.03+/-0.05 (P < 0.001). The survived cases showed marginal frequencies of allelic loss throughout all chromosome arms except 22q. The deceased cases showed frequent allelic losses on chromosomes 1q (37%), 4p (21%), 7q (20%), 9p (36%), 9q (31%), and 16q (29%), with significant difference (P < 0.05). These chromosome regions may include tumor suppressor genes whose inactivation is associated with aggressive phenotypes of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reduced HBME-1 immunoreactivity of papillary thyroid carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma-related neoplastic lesions with Hürthle cell and/or apocrine-like changes.

BACKGROUND: We have recently observed that Hürthle cell tumours and papillary thyroid carcinoma with tumour cells showing decapitation of luminal portion of the cytoplasm (apocrine-like changes) display negative or decreased immunoreactivity for HBME. The purpose of this study is to correlate papillary thyroid carcinoma with positive and negative immunoreactivity for HBME with the histopathological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred and five thyroid neoplasms including carcinoma and adenomas were grouped into Hürthle cell tumours, tumours with or without some features of Hürthle cells, tumours with apocrine-like changes and adenomas with or without limited nuclear features of papillary thyroid carcinoma but not diagnostic for papillary thyroid carcinoma. All neoplasms were submitted for immunostaining with cytokeratin 19 (CK19) and HBME. Papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular carcinoma and follicular adenoma that have areas of limited nuclear features but not diagnostic for papillary thyroid carcinoma showed stronger immunostaining for HBME than their respective counterparts with Hürthle cell changes. All Hürthle cell tumours showed negative to focal reactivity. This decrease of reactivity for HBME was proportional to the levels of Hürthle cell changes. In addition, focal to extensive apocrine-like changes were seen in most Hürthle cell neoplasms and rarely seen in non-Hürthle cell neoplasms. Apocrine-like changes abolished or decreased HBME immunoreactivity of papillary thyroid carcinoma and tumours with limited nuclear features. Immunostaining for cytokeratin AE3 was not affected by Hürthle cell or apocrine-like changes. CONCLUSIONS: All papillary thyroid carcinomas without Hürthle cell or apocrine-like differentiation are reactive for HBME. Hürthle cell tumours and tumours with Hürthle cell or apocrine-like changes show negative or focal reactivity for HBME. Except for this limitation, HBME is a sensitive marker for papillary thyroid carcinoma and tumours with limited nuclear features.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMed1997

Aberrantly expressed cytokeratin 1, a tumor-associated autoantigen in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a somewhat puzzling disease, combining a propensity to metastasize with an indolent clinical course. The often pronounced T cell-dominated inflammatory infiltrate seen in PTC tumors has prompted us to search for signs of a tumor-induced immune response. In previous studies, we have demonstrated large tumor-specific deposits of IgG and complement in PTC tissue and isolated a putative target antigen. This investigation examines the presence of autoantibodies to cytokeratin 1, a high m.w. cytokeratin normally expressed only in suprabasal keratinocytes, in the serum and tumor tissue of PTC patients. Using immunoprecipitation and Western blot, cytokeratin 1-reactive autoantibodies were demonstrated in 80% of the PTC sera tested, and tumor-derived antibodies were shown to precipitate cytokeratin 1. Using immunohistochemistry, cytokeratins 1 and 10 were found in a large proportion of PTC tumors (39/44) but were absent from normal thyrocytes of most PTC-bearing glands. Our results indicate that this protein is expressed aberrantly in neoplastic cells and is immunogenic in this context.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2004

Tumor suppressor gene allelic loss profiles of the variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTCa) is a relatively common, indolent tumor that usually has an excellent prognosis. While the diagnosis of conventional PTCa is relatively straightforward, encapsulated tumors with follicular growth pattern and unusual or incomplete cytologic features of papillary carcinoma can be diagnostically challenging. Encapsulated, noninvasive tumors are particularly controversial as the differential diagnosis includes a nonneoplastic nodule, a benign follicular adenoma, and papillary carcinoma. In this study, we performed molecular genotyping to identify loss of heterozygosity of tumor suppressor genes in conventional PTCa and in several different morphologic variants, including follicular variant, tall cell variant, and oncocytic variant. Our data demonstrate that conventional PTCas have the lowest frequency of allelic loss (7%), as compared with follicular, oncocytic, and tall cell variants (19%, 34%, and 20%, respectively). Frequency of allelic loss increased with increasing size of the tumors, but did not correlate with age, gender, extrathyroidal extension, or lymph node metastases. Though it is unlikely that these results will enable the distinction between different variants of papillary carcinoma, the finding of significant rates ofallelic loss in the variants of PTCa provides additional evidence of malignancy and may be useful in distinguishing encapsulated tumors from nonneoplastic or benign nodules.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

BRAF mutations in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the thyroid originating from the thyroid follicular cell (TFC). Although the formation of PTC is believed to result from rearrangements of RET or TRK oncogenes or MET point mutations, these structural aberrations or point mutations do not correlate with the clinicopathological features of PTC and do not seem to be a useful prognostic marker of the disease. Therefore, further experiments should be carried out in order to find new practical clinical markers. Recently, oncogene BRAF has become a subject of great interest. The mutation of BRAF gene is characteristic for PTC and poorly differentiated and/or undifferentiated cancers derived from PTC. The occurrence of BRAF mutation has often been observed in various human tumours. The presence of mutation was confirmed in melanoma, colon cancer, gliomas and lung cancer. In the majority of cases, there is only one type of point mutation - V600E. The RAS/RAF/MEK/MAPK kinase pathway mediates the cellular response to mitogenic signals. BRAF gene mutation results in increased kinase activity, leading to excessive activation of the above mitogenic pathway and to uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Some correlation was noticed between BRAF gene mutation and the clinical stage of the neoplastic disease in question. Preliminary investigations indicate that the presence of BRAF mutation might be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker of the disease. Further investigations could also bring further improvements into the therapeutic management of thyroid cancer. There are reports emphasizing the possibility of using the inhibitors of BRAF proteins in the treatment of PTC. Certainly, in order to confirm the diagnostic usefulness of this marker, further studies should be carried out.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1994

Evidence against involvement of APC mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of several tumours associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited tumour syndrome which appears to result from germ-line mutation of the APC tumour suppressor gene. Here we investigate the possibility that somatic mutation of APC might play a role in sporadic PTC. 16 cases of PTC together with matched normal tissue were examined by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, concentrating on the mutation cluster region (MCR) of the APC gene (codons 1286-1513). No evidence of mutation was observed in any sample. We conclude that APC mutation, at least in the MCR, is not a significant causal mechanism in sporadic PTC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The p75 neurotrophin receptor is widely expressed in conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) are associated with alterations in several proto-oncogenes related with nervous system development and function, such as TrkA and RET, which are commonly rearranged in these carcinomas. The other oncogenic event recently identified in PTC is the BRAF V600E mutation. Because the role of TrkA was not completely elucidated in thyroid cancer ethiopathogenesis, we decided to study the expression of active, phosphorylated TrkA and of its coreceptor p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR) in a series of 92 PTC (37 lesions of conventional PTC, 28 of follicular variant of PTC [FVPTC], and 27 of other variants of PTC) as well as in 21 samples of normal thyroid and nonneoplastic thyroid lesions used as a controls. We observed neoexpression of p75 NTR in PTC, particularly in conventional PTC and in other variants of PTC displaying a papillary growth pattern, rather than in FVPTC. No immunoexpression of p75 NTR was observed in normal thyroid nor in nonneoplastic thyroid lesions. The cellular localization of p75 NTR immunoexpression was also significantly associated with the growth pattern of PTC, being much more frequently detected in an apical localization in PTC with papillary architecture than in PTC with a follicular or solid growth pattern. This apical localization of p75 NTR was significantly associated with the presence of BRAF V600E. No significant differences were detected between normal thyroid, nonneoplastic lesions, and PTC (or any PTC variant) regarding expression/activation of TrkA, thus suggesting that by itself and in contrast to p75 NTR, TrkA is not altered during PTC development.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2001

Nuclear envelope organization in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) have characteristic nuclear shape changes compared to follicular-type thyroid epithelium. We tested the hypothesis that the altered nuclear shape results from altered distribution or expression of the major structural proteins of the nuclear envelope. Lamin A, lamin B1, lamin C, lamin B receptor (LBR), lamina-associated polypeptide 2 (LAP2), emerin, and nuclear pores were examined. PTC's with typical nuclear features by H&E were compared to non-neoplastic thyroid and follicular neoplasms using confocal microscopy, and semi-quantitative immunoblotting. Lamin A/C, lamin B1, LAP2, emerin, and nuclear pores all extend throughout the grooves and intranuclear inclusions of PTC. Their distribution and fluorescent intensity is not predictably altered relative to nuclear envelope irregularities. By immunoblotting, the abundance (per cell) and electrophoretic mobilities of lamin A, lamin B1, lamin C, emerin, and LAP2 proteins do not distinguish PTC, normal thyroid, or follicular neoplasms. These results do not support previously published predictions that lamin A/C expression is related to a loss of proliferative activity. At least three LAP2 isoforms are identified in normal and neoplastic thyroid. LBR is sparse or undetectable in all the thyroid samples. The results suggest that the irregular nuclear shape of PTC is not determined by these nuclear envelope structural proteins per se. We review the structure of the nuclear envelope, the major factors that determine nuclear shape, and the possible functional consequences of its alteration in PTC.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1995

A sequence analysis of the genomic regions involved in the rearrangements between TPM3 and NTRK1 genes producing TRK oncogenes in papillary thyroid carcinomas.

Papillary thyroid carcinomas have frequently been found to display oncogenic rearrangements of the NTRK1 gene, which encodes the high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor. Replacement of its extracellular domain by sequences coding for the 221 amino-terminal residues of the TPM3 gene was responsible for the oncogenic NTRK1 activation in three of eight of these tumors. In all of them, the illegitimate recombination involved the 611-bp NTRK1 intron placed upstream of the transmembrane domain and the TPM3 intron located between exons 7 and 8. Therefore, due to the splicing mechanism, all of the TPM3/NTRK1 gene fusions encoded an invariable transcript and the same chimeric protein of 70 kDa, which was constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine. In two of the three tumors the simultaneous presence of the reciprocal products of the TPM3/NTRK1 recombination, 5'TPM3-3'NTRK1 and 5'NTRK1-3'TPM3 sequences, respectively, and the previously demonstrated localization of both genes on the long arm of chromosome 1 lead us to suggest that an intrachromosomal inversion could be responsible for their recombination. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis that predisposes NTRK1 and TPM3 genes to be a recurrent target of illegitimate recombination, we have determined the nucleotide sequence around the breakpoints of the recombination products in all three patients as well as those of the corresponding regions from the normal TPM3 and NTRK1 genes. In these regions, a search for common features usually involved in illegitimate recombination in mammalian cells revealed the presence of some recombinogenic elements as well as pal-indromes, direct and inverted repeats, and Alu family sequences.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2005

Molecular classification and biomarker discovery in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, with an incidence of approximately 22,000 cases in 2004 in the USA. Incidence is increasing, with a global estimate of half a million new cases this year. PTC is found in a variety of morphologic variants, usually grows slowly and is clinically indolent, although rare, aggressive forms with local invasion or distant metastases can occur. In recent years, thyroid cancer has been at the forefront of molecular pathology as a result of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and the recognition of the role of Ret/PTC rearrangements in PTC. Nonetheless, the molecular pathogenesis of this disease remains poorly characterized. In the clinical setting, benign thyroid nodules are far more frequent, and distinguishing between them and malignant nodules is a common diagnostic problem. It is estimated that 5-10% of people will develop a clinically significant thyroid nodule during their lifetime. Although the introduction of fine-needle aspiration has made PTC identification more reliable, clinicians often have to make decisions regarding patient care on the basis of equivocal information. Thus, the existing diagnostic tools available to distinguish benign from malignant neoplasms are not always reliable. This article will critically evaluate recently described putative biomarkers and their potential future role for diagnostic purposes in fine-needle aspiration cytology samples. It will highlight the evolution of our understanding of the molecular biology of PTC, from a narrow focus on specific molecular lesions such as Ret/PTC rearrangements to a pan-genomic approach.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed2007

Retropharyngeal node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinomas commonly metastasize to paratracheal and jugular lymph nodes. Metastasis to the retropharyngeal node is rare for this tumor. METHODS: Five patients underwent surgical treatment for metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes that presented as a parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal mass. All patients had a history of total or subtotal thyroidectomy as their initial treatment. Among them, 3 patients had undergone ipsilateral modified radical neck dissection at their initial treatment. The other 2 patients had a history of bilateral or ipsilateral modified neck dissection for their subsequent cervical lymph node metastases. RESULTS: Metastatic retropharyngeal nodes were successfully resected via transcervical approach in all patients. Although aspiration and difficulty in swallowing were observed in 2 patients after surgical treatment for metastatic retropharyngeal nodes, these complications spontaneously resolved within a few months. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that neck dissection and/or metastatic cervical lymph nodes might alter the direction of lymphatic drainage to the retrograde fashion, resulting in the unusual metastasis to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes. Although the cases described here are rare, metastasis to the retropharyngeal node should be considered at the follow-up for thyroid papillary carcinoma. Because these metastases will be missed by routine ultrasonography of the neck, periodic CT scan or MRI is recommended for follow-up, especially for patients with a history of neck dissection.

Adult↗