Cervical mass as the initial manifestation of occult papillary thyroid carcinoma: Report of three cases.

Occult thyroid carcinoma is mostly discovered by autopsy or by other causes of thyroid surgery. To the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few reports concerning the situation that cervical mass was the initial manifestation of occult papillary thyroid carcinoma. The three patients in our report were all admitted to hospital because of the masses on their necks. Although pathology reports showed the nodal presence of thyroid cancer, we did not find the primary tumor on the same side of thyroid. We reported the clinical data of patients, including chief complaint, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and pathology results. We attempt to raise awareness regarding this particular disease and as a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis for occult cancer of the thyroid. Surgical procedure is the major treatment method at present.