They Said It Was Thyroid Cancer, But It Turned Out to Be Parathyroid Adenoma!

Metin Doğan, who lives in Istanbul, applied to the hospital because of widespread pain in his body. A diagnosis of thyroid cancer was made as a result of the initial examinations. Metin Doğan, who was devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer, took a sigh of relief when he applied to another hospital and doctor when he learned that he did not have cancer but had a parathyroid adenoma.

Metin Doğan, 50, who lives in Kartal, Istanbul, applied to the hospital after he had high calcium and phosphorus values in his blood tests, which he had routinely performed every six months, and he had widespread pain in his body. He was informed that there was a nodule with a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm in the thyroid gland on ultrasound and that a biopsy was required for this nodule. In the pathology report given as a result of the biopsy, it was stated that he had thyroid cancer and that the entire thyroid gland had to be removed surgically. After Mr. Metin applied to Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Endocrine Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan to get a different opinion, as a result of the examinations and the doctor's attention, it was revealed that he did not have thyroid cancer, but a parathyroid adenoma.

“We Made the Final Decision at the Surgery!”

Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan realized on the ultrasound that there was no nodule in the thyroid gland and that the 2.5 cm diameter formation, which was thought to be a nodule, was actually a benign parathyroid gland adenoma. Saying, “However, I wanted to have two different pathologists examine the parts of the biopsy, so that there would be no mistake”, Prof. Ayşan said that although the appearance was compatible with thyroid cancer, the final decision would be made during the surgery, and after informing the patient, he underwent surgery.

Stating that the mass reported as thyroid cancer was detected to be a parathyroid adenoma very close to the thyroid during the surgery, Prof. Ayşan said, “However, a part of the thyroid gland was removed as a precaution. In the pathological examination performed after the surgery, it was reported that the mass was a benign parathyroid adenoma and there were no signs of cancer in the thyroid.”

“Parathyroid Adenomas Can Be Confused with Thyroid Cancer!”

Stating that Metin Doğan's illness started tragically and unluckily, but the result was good, Yeditepe University Hospitals Endocrine Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan said, “Unfortunately, the radiological appearance of parathyroid adenomas is very similar to thyroid cancers. An experienced eye is essential to distinguish between them. If I had seen this mass in the first place, I wouldn't have needed a biopsy. On the other hand, it is another mistake to immediately perform a needle biopsy for every mass seen in the neck. As a matter of fact, some types of parathyroid adenomas mimic thyroid cancer very well in needle biopsy. This was also the case with Mr. Metin. Three pathologists reviewed these biopsy materials, and all three said they had had a suspicion of thyroid cancer. In such cases, experience is very important. If I had not noticed that the ultrasound appearance was not compatible with thyroid cancer, this patient would have had both the entire thyroid gland removed, and the parathyroid adenoma would have been overlooked and the patient would have had to be operated on again. Fortunately, we realized this before the surgery, and we both removed the parathyroid adenoma and left the healthy thyroid tissue in place.”

Thyroid Ultrasound Is Necessary After 40

Prof. Dr. Erhan Ayşan, who said that our country is an endemic goiter country and that our geographical and genetic structure predisposes us to thyroid cancer and goiter, also warned that everyone should have a thyroid ultrasound after the age of 40.