Bone metastases in 21 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma: The influence of age and response to therapy

ABSTRACT

Bone metastases in differentiated thyroid carcinoma occur in 3-5%of patients. When present, overall 10-year survival rate drops to 13-21%. Although rarely curative, radioactive iodine therapy for bone metastases has been found to improve survival especially in patients younger than 45 years of age. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic circumstances and influence of age on the outcome of patients with bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma recently managed in one institution. Between November 2001 and October 2007, 21 patients were managed for bone metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A review of medical records was performed. Of 21 patients, 7 patients were less than or equal to 45 years of age (35.29 plus minus 8.16 years), and were classified as group 1 (stage II "low risk", WHO classification). The rest, 14 patients, were greater than or equal to 45 years old (63.14 plus minus 7.73 years and formed group 2 (stage IV, "high risk", WHO classification). Complete and partial remission was more frequently noted with group I (5 of 7 or 71.4% of patients) than with group II (6 of 14 or 42.9% of patients). Although remission can be observed in both age groups, patients younger than 45 years old at the diagnosis of bone metastases show a better response to therapy.