Treatment of rectal cancer metastases to the thyroid gland: report of two cases

Abstract

Rectal cancer rarely metastasizes to the thyroid gland. When it does, however, it poses particular problems with regard to diagnosis and management. Case reports to date support a first-line surgical approach alone or in combination with radiation therapy. Despite the use of these treatment modalities, the presence of thyroid metastasis is associated with a very poor prognosis and significant morbidity. Herein, we review the literature and report on 2 cases of rectal carcinoma metastatic to the thyroid gland that were treated with oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens. In both cases, the patients responded well to combination chemotherapy up front or after previous surgery and chemoradiation. The favorable survival and symptom benefits observed in these patients suggest that combination chemotherapy should be considered in the management of these very rare cases.