An unprecedented occurrence of incidental tonsillar ectopic primary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in an adult female: A case report

Abstract

Introduction and Importance: Any defect in the early phases of the normal complex embryogenic pathway might lead to anatomical anomalies that lead to the formation of ectopic thyroid gland tissue. Overall, ectopic thyroid tissue incidence is one in 300 000, and the rate of malignant transformation among those is merely 1%. However, documented cases of malignant transformation of ectopic thyroid tissue in the tonsils have not yet been – to the best of the knowledge – documented in published literature. Case Presentation: We illustrate the case of a 58-year-old female who was referred to the clinic after she underwent a tonsillectomy due to chronic discomfort and gradual difficulty in swallowing. Documentation of an ectopic primary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in one of the patient’s excised tonsils was achieved after thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses took place. Radiological evaluation excluded any metastatic involvement and paved the path toward surgical intervention, which was comprised of a total thyroidectomy. Clinical Discussion: Surgical resection of the patient’s thyroid gland was achieved, and the subsequent histopathological analysis of the specimens revealed nodular hyperplasia with degenerative changes but without evidence of malignant transformation in her thyroid gland. Conclusion: Ectopic primary Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma is an immensely rare occurrence, regardless of population parameters. Its incidence could originate in various anatomical locations, but to the best of the knowledge, its incidence in the tonsils has not been previously documented in published literature. Adequate levels of clinical awareness in this situation could timely alleviate patient complaints and aid in performing optimal life-saving interventions.