Description

ABSTRACT

 Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is the most aggressive form of thyroid cancer. It is characterized by rapid growth, extensive loco-regional spread and early distant metastasis resulting in a poor prognosis. The presentation can be varied, but most patients present with a rapidly enlarging neck mass with associated symptoms of compression such as dysphagia or stridor. ATC can arise denovo, however, many arise from pre-existing thyroid cancers. There are cases where ATC arose from multinodular goitres. We report a case of a 54 year old female with a long standing MNG who presents with a rapidly enlarging neck mass and acute respiratory failure who underwent an emergency thyroidectomy.

Keywords: emergency thyroidectomy, thyroid related respiratory failure, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, multinodular goitre