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

J Nucl Med Technol. 2021 Mar;49(1):89-91. doi: 10.2967/jnmt.120.249128. Epub 2020 Oct 5.

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.

Keywords: axillary lymph node; metastases; radioiodine; thyroid carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Axilla
  • Carcinoma, Papillary*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging