Colon Cancer Metastasis Within a NIFTP: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The thyroid is an unusual site for metastasis, and metastases in a preexisting primary thyroid tumor are exceedingly rare. We report the first case of a patient with colon cancer who was diagnosed with a thyroid metastasis in a noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP). A 55-year-old male patient presented with a 19 mm thyroid nodule in the inferior left lobe. It was EU-TIRADS 5 on echography and suspicious of papillary thyroid carcinoma (Bethesda V) on cytology. Macroscopically, the nodule was fleshy and completely encapsulated. At frozen section examination, it demonstrated follicular architecture with mild atypia. Inside the nodule was a focus of tumor with glandular architecture, marked cellular atypia, and necrosis. These findings suggested a secondary malignancy. The patient’s medical history was significant for metastatic colon cancer. The definitive histology showed features of metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma within a NIFTP. Immunohistochemical studies were confirmatory with expression of CDX2 and CK20 localized to the metastatic focus. PAX8, TG, and TTF were negative in the metastasis but expressed in the surrounding NIFTP lesion. The possibility of a metastasis to the thyroid may be considered in patients presenting with a solitary thyroid nodule with a previous history of cancer. Metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma occurring in a NIFTP has never been reported before now, although metastases to the thyroid are documented in the literature. In cases of a secondary malignancy to the thyroid, treatment is controversial.