A rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the thyroid

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to report a recent case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the thyroid, review the pertinent literature, and highlight the importance of multimodal treatment in this potentially aggressive malignancy.

Study design: The study comprise a case report and a review of literature.

Methods: A 42-year-old woman had initially presented to another hospital with a painful left neck mass. She subsequently underwent left hemithyroidectomy. Surgical pathology was significant for lymphocytic thyroiditis and MEC. One month later, she presented to us with a right neck mass.

Results: The patient underwent completion thyroidectomy and selective neck dissection, including level 6, for high-grade MEC. Operative findings included 3 lymph nodes positive for metastasis and tumor invasion of the transverse cervical vein. Postoperative chemoradiation therapy was administered in 2 cycles separated by 1 month. The patient remains disease-free 22 months after the last treatment.

Conclusion: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare malignancy of the thyroid with less than 35 cases reported to date. The origins of this tumor are not completely understood, with debate regarding whether it arises from solid cell nests of the ultimobranchial apparatus or from follicular epithelium. Although MEC of the thyroid has frequently been reported as low grade, the aggressive presentation in our patient suggests the appropriateness of multimodal therapy.