other thyroid malignancies
Last reviewed 01/2018
Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas may arise in the thyroid. These may occur be primary or secondary lesions. The mean age at the time of diagnosis is 60-70 years. There is a female predominance of 3-4:1. The lymphoma may arise from pre-existing Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Presentation is usually with diffuse thyroid enlargement. Diagnosis is established by biopsy. Treatment is with radiotherapy.
Primary sarcomas of the thyroid e.g. osteogenic sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, are extremely rare. So are primary thyroid squamous cell carcinomas. More commonly, an adjacent tracheal or oesophageal primary tumour may invade the thyroid.