Abstract
Introduction: Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare cancer that
is found in about 1% of thyroid malignant tumors and has an extremely
poor prognosis. It is known that most of anaplastic transformation
occurs in primary lesions, but rarely occurs in cervical lymph node
lesions.
Case presentation: We report a case of 67-year-old female
patien who underwent preoperative examination to diagnose papillary
thyroid carcinoma and underwent surgery, but whose postoperative
pathological examination revealed anaplastic transformation of
metastatic cervical lymph nodes. Although postoperative radiation
therapy was performed, rapid neck skin metastases, multiple lung
metastases, and pleural effusion were observed, leading to an
unfortunate outcome.
Conclusion: It is important to be aware that papillary thyroid
carcinoma could develop anaplastic transformation at metastatic cervical
lymph nodes.
Keywords: Papillary thyroid carcinoma, Anaplastic
transformation, Metastatic cervical lymph node, Poor prognosis,
Multidisciplinary treatment