Giant Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma of Sarcomatoid Type with Obstructive Symptoms: A Case Report

Abstract

Aim: To report the surgical approach of a giant thyroid tumor despite the histological type. Background: Although salt for human consumption contains iodine; in some populations far from civilization stone salt (noniodized salt) is still used, the latter plus a lack of medical attention, leads to the development of goiter with excessive growth and possible malignant transformation. Case description: We report the case of surgical treatment of a giant tumor of the thyroid gland in a 55-year-old female patient who was admitted to the emergency department with respiratory distress and difficulty swallowing food. She underwent an emergency total thyroidectomy due to airway obstruction. During the surgical treatment, adhesions of the tumor to the cervical esophagus and to the aorta artery in its projection towards the mediastinal region were found. Conclusion: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is the rarest and most dangerous of all types of thyroid cancers, so extreme caution should be exercised in the treatment choice according to the patient’s case. Clinical significance: Although the literature establishes the management of sarcomatoid anaplastic thyroid tumors, surgery remains the first option in severe cases with obstructive symptoms.