Thyroid adenoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis to cervical lymph nodes is misdiagnosed and treated for thyroid carcinoma: A case report

Lymph node metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma follows an orderly pattern, and diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is often made by lymph node biopsy. In the present study, following neck palpation, ultrasonography and cervical computer tomography, a 52-year-old female patient with thyroid adenoma and enlarged cervical lymph nodes was misdiagnosed as thyroid carcinoma without undergoing preoperative biopsy, followed by unnecessary total thyroidectomy. Systematic CT scan and nasal endoscopic biopsy confirmed the correct diagnosis of primary NPC concurrent with thyroid adenoma. The patient received palliative radiotherapy and L-thyroxine substitution therapy, and was followed up closely via internet-based approaches with life-style intervention, medication consultation and psychological support for improvement of life quality after radiotherapy. In conclusion, primary malignancies with thyroid metastasis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of thyroid tumors with enlarged cervical lymph nodes.