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Aggressive behavior of papillary microcarcinoma in a patient with Graves’ disease initially presenting as cystic neck mass

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Abstract

Prognosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid associated with Graves’ disease is controversial; nevertheless, tumors smaller than 1 cm (microcarcinoma) are usually considered to render a good prognosis. We describe a patient with Graves’ disease who developed a lateral cystic neck mass that was later confirmed to be a metastatic lymph node from papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Contrary to having a good prognosis with a microcarcinoma, our patient developed bilateral lung metastases. The possible role of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins in the aggressive course of the tumor is discussed.

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Correspondence to M. Braga M.D..

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Braga, M., Graf, H., Ogata, A. et al. Aggressive behavior of papillary microcarcinoma in a patient with Graves’ disease initially presenting as cystic neck mass. J Endocrinol Invest 25, 250–253 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03343999

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