Thyroid carcinoma with discharging sinus – a rarity: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma with isolated involvement of skin is extremely rare. Presentation with a discharging sinus has not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a report of a 62 year old male patient with a long standing history of thyroid swelling which has metastasized to neck nodes and ulcerated over the midline resulting in a discharging sinus. CONCLUSION: Extra thyroidal extension is seen in 4% to 16% of all well differentiated thyroid cancers. However there is only an isolated report of skin ulceration over the thyroid. This is a unique case where the ulceration resulted in a discharging sinus. Patient is alive after 2 years following successful therapy. Aggressive surgery is warranted for locally advanced thyroid cancer.