Fatal outcome of an anaplastic thyroid tumour

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Oct 25:2017:bcr2017221672. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221672.

Abstract

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare form of thyroid cancer, known for its very poor prognosis, even with the appropriate management. It is very aggressive, with a tendency to invade locally and lymph node metastasis is often present at the time of diagnosis. We present an elderly patient, who presented with rapid enlarging neck mass, which, within weeks, led to his death. His family gave their consent to perform an autopsy, and here we describe and illustrate the profound aggressiveness of this tumour.

Keywords: General Practice / Family Medicine; Pathology; Thyroid Disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autopsy
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic / mortality
  • Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*