Tumor induced osteomalacia secondary to anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Context: Tumor induced osteomalacia related to anaplastic thyroid cancer has never been reported.

Objective: We describe a case of tumor induced osteomalacia (TIO) in a patient with a fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) secreting anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The current imaging modalities are reviewed.

Design and intervention: Clinical, biochemical, and radiological assessments were done, including computer tomography (CT) of the neck and skull to thigh positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. The patient underwent surgical tumor debulking three days after presentation due to airway compromise. Molecular studies of the resected tissue were performed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gel electrophoresis for the phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor FGF-23.

Results: Resected tissue demonstrated features of anaplastic thyroid cancer with positive markers for FGF-23 protein, consistent with a FGF-23 secreting paraneoplastic tumor. The patient's metastatic burden rapidly progressed as demonstrated by a dramatic rise in serum FGF-23 levels and worsening hypophosphatemia in concert with progression of the metastatic lesions on PET/CT.

Conclusion: We believe that our patient's rapidly progressive anaplastic thyroid cancer was responsible for persistent hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia, substantiated by the finding of FGF-23 protein within the thyroid tumor cells. Our case indicates that anaplastic thyroid cancer can cause TIO.