Primary papillary carcinoma in a thyroglossal duct cyst

A rare case of primary thyroid papillary carcinoma arising in a thyroglossal duct cyst occuring in a 46 year old man is reported. The diagnosis was not suspected preoperatively. On gross examination of the excised specimen the presence of a papillary tumour in the cystic mass suggested the diagnosis which was proved histopathologically. The thyroid gland was normal on physical examination and scintigram thus ruling out the possibility of metastasis from a primary tumour in the thyroid gland.