Thyroglossal Duct Carcinoma

EXAMPLES of cancer arising in the thyroglossal duct are not common. In a recent review of the English literature, Tanaka and Civin found only nine cases and added one case of their own. 1 Most of the reported thyroglossal duct cancers have been papillary adenocarcinomas, apparently arising from ectopic thyroid gland tissue in thyroglossal duct remnants. The following two cases of papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroglossal duct are presented because of the rarity of these lesions. Case1.—A 51-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital on Sept 3, 1962, for removal of a mass in his anterior neck. He first noted the mass three to four months before admission, but it had increased rapidly in size in the past month. He noted no pain or other discomfort. Physical Examination .—A 3×4 cm firm midline mass was revealed in the anterior neck just superior to the thyroid cartilage. It