Incidentally Found Thyroid Metastases in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma - How to Manage It?

Objectives: The authors aim to review the available literature regarding incidentally found thyroid carcinoma during lymph node dissection for primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), in order to potentially support clinical decision about management of this unexpected entity. Methods: 2 clinical cases are described and a systematic review of the relevant literature on the subject is performed based on Pubmed® database. Results: We reviewed a total of 102 cases. The primary SCCs sites were larynx, oral cavity, and pharynx. Thyroidectomy was performed in 79 cases and thyroid carcinoma was found on histology in 40 cases, mainly papillary subtype. Conclusion: The scenario of thyroid carcinoma incidentally found in head and neck SCC is very unusual. The decision between surgical and conservative management should be made on an individualized basis, considering the biological properties of the thyroid neoplasm itself and, mainly, the prognosis of the primary head and neck disease.