A Case of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Presenting as Pleural Effusion

We report the patient presented with a left-sided pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis revealed lymphocyte-dominant exudates with lower level of adenosine deaminase and negative cytologic malignancy. Thoracoscopic examination and histologic examination revealed metastatic nodules on pleurae, proven to be from the papillary thyroid cancer. There were no other sites of distant metastases. Though papillary thyroid cancer is characterized with slow progression and relatively good prognosis, metastatic pleural effusion as an initial manifestation of undiagnosed papillary thyroid cancer can be considered.

keywords: Thyroid cancer, Malignant pleural effusion, Thoracoscopic surgical procedures

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Article Contents

Vol.64 No.4

A Case of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Presenting as Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Reference

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases