An Aggressive Form of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma-Melanocytic Subtype: A Case Report

Cureus. 2023 Dec 11;15(12):e50310. doi: 10.7759/cureus.50310. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) represents a small proportion of thyroid cancers. In MTC, melanin production is extremely uncommon. Few case reports have documented this rare variant, and follow-up on these cases has been very limited. Our case studies a 51-year-old female who initially presented with goiter. This tumor recurred multiple times despite surgery with rapid growth and poor response to radiotherapy. Microscopic examination showed high-grade malignant neoplasm with lymphocytic differentiation. Immunohistochemical studies were diffusely positive for S100, SOX10, and Melan-A. Histology confirmed melanocytic medullary carcinoma that had undergone a high-grade transformation with loss of epithelial and neuroendocrine expression. Due to the scarcity and rarity of this subtype, further evaluation and case studies are needed for further categorization and prognostication.

Keywords: head and neck oncology; medullary thyroid carcinoma; melan a; metastatic malignancy; thyroid pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports