Metastasis of thyroid cancer to the sternum after total thyroidectomy and laryngectomy

Metastasis of thyroid cancer to the sternum is rare. Ablation is the therapy of choice for patients with metastasizing differentiated thyroid cancer, while surgical resection is an option for those with resectable bony metastasis. This report describes a case of a 65-year-old woman with a sternal tumor. The patient was treated by partial sternal resection and sternal reconstruction with new material polypropylene/expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) composite. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was free of recurrence after 1 year of follow-up. We conclude that surgery should be used to manage solid bony metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Further more, a polypropylene/ePTFE composite may be useful for sternal reconstruction after thoracotomy.