Axillary Lymph Nodal Metastases from Thyroid Carcinoma: Report of 2 Cases with Review of Literature

Abstract

Thyroid carcinoma has an excellent long-term outcome for locoregional disease if adequately treated, but the outcome declines sharply if distant metastatic disease is present. Axillary lymph nodal metastases are unusual in thyroid carcinoma and have a poorer outcome, as they are usually associated with aggressive histopathologies, extensive locoregional disease, and distant metastatic disease. We report 2 cases of thyroid carcinoma with axillary lymph nodal metastases and their management, and we review the literature on such cases.