Late metastasis from renal cell carcinoma to the thyroid and nasal cavity: report of a case.

Abstract

Multifocal cervico-facial metastases are very rare. Medical history of the patient and clinical context make easier the diagnosis. A 54-year-old woman presenting with a nasal obstruction, was referred to our department. She had a past medical history of an operated renal cancer 12 years ago and a right hemithyroidectomy 30 years ago. Clinical examination revealed a polypoid lesion obstructing the right nasal cavity and a thyroid goiter. Fine-needle aspiration was positive for a renal metastasis. Computed tomography confirmed the nasal lesion without bone destruction and a cervical cystic lesion into the left thyroid lobe. Completion thyroidectomy and polyp excision were performed. The final histologic examination revealed a metastasis from a renal cancer. The association of intra-thyroid and nasal cavity metastases is uncommon and not related in the literature, the practitioner must suspect the diagnosis if the patient had a thyroid tumor, a suspicious nasal lesion and a past history of cancer. The surgical management is recommended for isolated metastasis to the nasal cavity and the thyroid gland especially in renal cancer.