Sažetak sa skupa
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid
Teo Radovan
; OB Pula, Santoriova ulica 24a, 52100 Pula, Hrvatska
Ervin Mujkanović
; OB Pula, Santoriova 24A, 52100 Pula, Hrvatska
Marin Sokolić
; OB Pula, Santoriova 24A, 52100 Pula, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is an exceptionally rare malignancy, accounting for less than
1% of all thyroid cancers. It is characterized by aggressive behavior, a tendency for rapid local spread, and
very poor prognosis, with an average survival time of less than one year after diagnosis. The diagnostic
challenge lies in distinguishing the primary lesion from the invasion of squamous cell carcinoma from adjacent
structures or metastatic disease. The primary manifestation of the disease in PSCC involves a rapidly growing
neck mass, followed by symptoms and signs related to the involvement of other structures. There are several
theories regarding the origin of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid, with the most widely accepted
being the theory of metaplasia of follicular epithelial cells and the residual embryonal theory. Due to its rarity
and the absence of standardized therapeutic protocols, every newly reported case contributes to a better
understanding of the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and potential treatment options for this entity.
We present the case of a 69-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department with a rapidly growing
mass on the right side of the neck. The patient had gradually developed symptoms including hemoptysis,
dyspnea, dysphagia, and dysphonia over the past month. Clinical examination revealed right vocal cord
paralysis and biphasic stridor. CT imaging showed a large proliferative mass in the right lobe of the thyroid
infiltrating the trachea. During an emergency tracheotomy, a sample was taken for pathological analysis. The
sample sent for histological and immunohistochemical analysis was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma.
Further diagnostic work-up included a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, re-biopsy during direct
laryngoscopy, and CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, which did not show any evidence of the disease spread.
In conclusion, primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is extremely rare and presents a diagnostic
challenge. However, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating neck tumors with
squamous histology. According to the 2022 WHO classification of tumors, it is no longer classified as a
separate entity but as a subtype of anaplastic carcinoma with squamous differentiation.
Ključne riječi
primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid; hemoptysis; tracheotomy
Hrčak ID:
336424
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.11.2025.
Posjeta: 134 *