Thyroid lymphoma: a single institution's experience

Abstract

Background: Primary lymphoma of the thyroid gland is uncommon.

Methods: The tumor registry at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center was searched for all patients carrying a diagnosis of thyroid lymphoma. All available records for these patients were examined and information regarding patient and tumor characteristics, clinical presentation, interventions, and survival were tabulated.

Results: The average age of patient in our series was 67.5 years. There was a 2.7:1 female to male preponderance. Thirteen (60%) patients presented with thyroid nodule(s). Eleven (50%) presented with aerodigestive tract obstructive symptoms. Sixteen (73%) patients had no pre-existing history of thyroid disease; none had known pre-existing Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Conclusions: The typical thyroid lymphoma patient is female and elderly with painless thyroid enlargement. Compressive symptoms of the aerodigestive tract are common at presentation and may require urgent intervention. Treatment modalities (XRT, CHOP chemotherapy) and outcomes are distinct from other thyroid malignancies.