SECONDARY MALIGNANCY OF THE THYROID-GLAND - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Metastatic cancer to the thyroid gland is uncommon. In this report we describe a patient with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma that metastas ized to the thyroid, possibly to a preexisting thyroid nodule. A revie w of the literature reveals that breast and lung carcinoma are the mos t frequently identified sources of secondary thyroid carcinoma found a t autopsy, while renal carcinoma comprises over 50% of secondary thyro id malignancies discovered clinically. A number of authors suggest tha t preexisting thyroid disease (i.e., multinodular goiter and thyroid n odules) may provide a nidus for metastases to the thyroid gland.