EXTENSION OF MALIGNANT TUMORS OF THYROID INTO GREAT VEINS AND RIGHT HEART

Abstract

Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland may involve neighboring veins and extend as tumor thrombi into the superior vena cava and right side of the heart. Four cases have been reported and are here assembled. This report adds another case studied by me. It is unique in that the tumor thrombosis invaded both venae cavae and the right auricle. <h3>GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS</h3> Malignant tumors of the thyroid gland constitute between 1 and 2 per cent of all goiters and are found about once in every thousand necropsies in the United States. The greatest number of cases occur in the fifth decade. Women are afflicted in from two thirds to three fourths of all cases.¹Adenomatous goiter precedes malignant conditions of the thyroid in more than 90 per cent, and over 90 per cent is of epithelial origin.²Clinical signs of toxic adenoma are present in about half of all