Rapidly Progressive Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Concurrent with SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Acute Renal Failure: A Challenging Case

• Ahmed Salim Nayyef

  Baghdad Medical City

• Rasha Saer Almaula

  Baghdad Medical City

• Ahmed Hatem Abdullahagha

  Babylon Oncology Center, Babylon, Iraq

The co-occurrence of aggressive malignancies like anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) and severe viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 poses profound clinical challenges, particularly when complicated by rapid multi-organ dysfunction. We present a rare case of a 58-year-old Arabic male with a history of multinodular goiter who presented with a rapidly enlarging neck mass. Subsequent histopathological analysis diagnosed the mass as ATC, concurrent with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient's clinical course was further complicated by the rapid onset of acute renal failure. This case exemplifies the intricate diagnostic complexities, the profound impact of the viral infection and escalating multi-organ failure on surgical deferral, and the relentless, rapid progression of ATC despite palliative radiotherapy, culminating in respiratory and renal failure. Despite the implementation of supportive and palliative measures, the patient succumbed to their condition two weeks after admission. This report underscores the immense difficulties in managing oncologic emergencies amidst active viral infections and severe systemic complications, highlighting the critical need for highly individualized and carefully considered treatment strategies.

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