Metastatic papillary carcinoma thyroid co-existing with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A case report and review of literature

The incidental discovery of metastatic papillary carcinoma thyroid in lymph node while the patient is being investigated for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is an unusual clinical situation and the appropriate management in such clinical situation is controversial and confusing. We report a case of a 65 year old male with primary squamous cell carcinoma of alveolus with bilateral neck nodes. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in lymph nodes on the left side and metastatic papillary carcinoma in the lymph node on the right side. We present the diagnostic dilemma and the confusion in planning the treatment of such difficult situation.