Papillary thyroid cancer usually occurs in the middle-aged, with a peak incidence in the 3rd and 4th decades. It is more common in women. It accounts for the majority of thyroid neoplasms.
It is unusual for papillary thyroid cancer to invade the trachea which is a more common attribute of anaplastic tumors.
MRI is infrequently performed, however as this case demonstrates it is more exquisite at delineating the extent of the disease.
In this case tracheal invasion was the cause of the patient's presenting complaint of hemoptysis.
A total thyroidectomy and laryngectomy was performed.