RECTAL-CARCINOMA METASTATIC TO THE THYROID-GLAND

Clinically evident metastases to the thyroid gland are rarely found an temortem A case of a 59-year-old woman with a history of rectal carcin oma, who presented with low back pain and a mass in the right lobe of her thyroid gland, is presented. The tumour of the thyroid was found t o be metastatic adenocarcinoma from her previous rectal cancer. Other synchronous metastases were noted in her lumbar spine and kidneys. The clinical finding of metastases to the thyroid gland is rare, particul arly from a colorectal primary. One must consider, however, the possib ility of a tumour of the thyroid gland representing a secondary malign ancy in any patient with a prior history of cancer.