Synchronous occurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma and early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a 45-year-old female: a case report and review of the literature

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) coexistent with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is of rare occurrence. We report a 45-year-old female who presented with painless anterior neck swelling for the past year. Ultrasonography showed a left hypoechoic thyroid mass measured 20x13 mm without lymph node enlargement. The fine-needle aspiration cytology was suggestive of PTC. Consequently, total thyroidectomy with bilateral neck dissection was performed. Incidentally, a small mass measuring 4x2 cm arising from the esophageal wall was identified and resected. Postoperatively, the patient developed a small esophageal fistula which was treated conservatively. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PTC and SCC of esophageal mass. The patient underwent radiotherapy, and radioactive iodine therapy, and had acceptable conditions within two years of follow-up. In conclusion, even though the coexistence of PTC and esophageal SCC is rare, the possibility of concurrence of both tumors should be considered if an incidental mass was identified intraoperatively.