Concurrent epithelioid malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and papillary thyroid carcinoma in the treated field of Hodgkin's disease

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous malignancies in the field of radiation for Hodgkin's disease is an extremely rare event. A unique case of concurrent thyroid and neck mass in the postirradiation field of a young patient with Hodgkin's disease is presented. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thyroidectomy and excision biopsy of the neck mass were performed. A 1.5-cm papillary thyroid carcinoma was identified in thyroidectomy and an initial diagnosis of undifferentiated malignant neoplasm was rendered on the neck mass biopsy. Subsequent surgical excision of the neck mass and immunohistochemical analysis revealed malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. CONCLUSION: Concurrent malignancies in the field of treatment of Hodgkin's disease may occur. Rare malignancies including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor may be encountered along with the more common papillary thyroid carcinoma.