Double trouble: Tumor-to-tumor metastasis of breast cancer into a thyroid papillary carcinoma – Case report and review of literature

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare and challenging phenomenon, particularly involving the thyroid gland. Breast cancer metastasizing into the thyroid gland with a coexisting papillary thyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare situation, with few cases reported in the literature. Our aim was to report a rare incidence of this association, along with a literature review of similar cases. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 63-year-old woman with a history of invasive lobular breast carcinoma who developed a right thyroid nodule. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and pathology revealed metastatic breast carcinoma with a coexistent papillary thyroid carcinoma in the same lobe. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Metastatic breast cancer to the thyroid accounts for only 1 %-3 % of all thyroid malignancies, despite the thyroid's rich vascularity. These metastases can mimic a primary thyroid tumor. Only definitive histology can confirm the metastatic origin in these cases. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered when facing tumor-to-tumor metastasis. Despite its rarity, awareness of this entity is crucial and requires close thyroid monitoring in breast cancer survivors.