Metastatic Pattern of Spread of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Introduction:
Most common type of thyroid cancer. Metastases outside of local lymph nodes are rare. (Mets to local lymph nodes are very common.)
Prevalence: Uncommon Metastasis Frequency: Rare
References:
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1995 Jul;80(7):2041-5. PMID: 7608252
Endocr Relat Cancer. 2011 Aug 30;18(5):R165-74. doi: 10.1530/ERC-11-0068. PMID: 21632805
Primary Tumor:
| Characteristics | Comments | |
| Thyroid | Microcalcified |
Known Metastatic Locations:
| Site | Frequency | Characteristics | Comments |
| Lung Parenchyma | Common | Nodule | most common site for first distant metastasis |
| Local Lymph Nodes | Common | much more common than distant metastases |
|
| Bone | Uncommon | Lytic | second most common site for first distant metastasis |
| Mediastinum | Uncommon | ||
| Brain | Rare | rare as a first site for distant metastasis but the most common site for second distant metastasis |
|
| Adrenal Glands | Very Rare | ||
| Skin (Cutaneous and Subcutaneous) | Very Rare | ||
| Liver | Very Rare |