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Rapid thyrotoxicosis in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2006

J S Phillips
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK
D R Pledger
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK.
A W Hilger
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK

Abstract

We present the case of a 71-year-old man with anaplastic thyroid cancer. On presentation, his thyroid function was normal, but he subsequently developed sudden, rapid thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is very rare, but in all previously reported cases the patient was thyrotoxic at presentation. Our case is unusual as our patient presented euthyroid, and thyrotoxicosis developed subsequently. We challenge current ideas regarding the biochemical pathophysiology of rapid thyrotoxicosis in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and provide an alternative explanation.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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