Synchronous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tongue and Papillary Carcinoma of Thyroid - A Rare Case Report

Synchronous malignancies were traditionally considered difficult to diagnose as one malignancy may be indolent and is usually picked up as an incidental finding while proceeding with staging workup or treatment for the other malignancy. However with advancements in imaging technology, we are able to timely detect and effectively treat such synchronous malignancies. Metastatic papillary carcinoma thyroid in the presence of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity is a rare clinical phenomenon. We report an interesting case of one such in a 61-year-old male patient was diagnosed and treated for a locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of tongue. A synchronous carcinoma of the thyroid gland was subsequently detected and appropriately managed. The patient was finally correctly staged as a synchronous double cancer (Stage 3 carcinoma tongue and Stage IVA carcinoma thyroid) which incidentally portended a better prognosis.