# Double Trouble: A Rare Case of Synchronous Breast and Thyroid Carcinomas

**Authors:** Anuradha S Dnyanmote, Himashree M P, Sandeep Kumar, Kinjal Vasava

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65256 · Cureus · 2024-07-24

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of a woman diagnosed with both breast and thyroid cancer at the same time and discusses the challenges of treating both conditions.

## Contribution

The paper reports a rare case of synchronous breast and thyroid carcinomas with a focus on clinical management challenges.

## Key findings

- The patient had mucinous breast carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma, both rare in synchronous occurrence.
- A multidisciplinary approach was required to manage the dual malignancies effectively.
- The case highlights the need for further research into the genetic and pathophysiological basis of this condition.

## Abstract

Breast carcinoma and thyroid carcinoma are among the most common cancers affecting women. Although it is rare to encounter synchronous primary tumors of the thyroid and breast in clinical practice, the incidence of both differentiated thyroid and breast cancers has significantly risen over the last 20 years. Despite having a lower mortality risk compared to other types of cancer, managing a dual diagnosis of these malignancies poses unique challenges and requires a thorough evaluation and strategic treatment plan.

Here, we report a rare case of double primary malignancy of the breast and thyroid in a 59-year-old female who presented with complaints of a lump in the left breast, along with an incidental finding of thyroid swelling, which had conflicting findings in various preliminary evaluations. In this reported case, the patient underwent a total thyroidectomy based on a frozen section report suggestive of papillary carcinoma along with a modified radical mastectomy because of mucinous carcinoma of the left breast, which by itself is a rarity. This constituted a great challenge in managing both malignancies simultaneously.

In conclusion, synchronous breast and thyroid carcinomas constitute an atypical clinical scenario that requires detailed evaluation and a multidisciplinary management approach. Further research is needed to understand this condition's underlying pathophysiology and genetic background to improve therapeutic outcomes for affected individuals.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** breast carcinoma (MONDO:0004989), thyroid carcinoma (MONDO:0015075), papillary carcinoma (MONDO:0006509), mucinous carcinoma (MONDO:0004957)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Breast and Thyroid Carcinomas (MESH:D001943), cancer (MESH:D009369), lump in the (MESH:C536531), papillary carcinoma (MESH:D002291), primary (MESH:D010538), breast (MESH:D061325), thyroid swelling (MESH:D013959), thyroid carcinoma (MESH:D013964)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11342579/full.md

## References

31 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11342579/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11342579