Experience in treatment of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To discuss strategies in treatment of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) .Methods:Clinical data of 31 cases with PDTC were reviewed retrospectively, who were treated in Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute by primary surgical resection with or without adjuvant therapy. 27 cases had total thyroidectomy compounded neck dissection or extened total thyroidectomy when trachea or esophagus involved. 4 cases underwent partial resection of tumor. 11 cases were treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) after surgery, 10 cases were treated with postoperative radioiodine, and 8 cases had chemotherapy.Results:The median follow-up time was 18 months (ranged from 3-96 months) . 19 patients died of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank analysis was used to compare the differences between groups. Five-year survival was 35.9%. Compared to the cases with partial resection, the cases with surgical disease clearance had longer survival ( P=0.00) . The same statistical difference was found between patients with or without radioiodine ( P=0.017) . The patients treated with radioiodine had longer survival. No statistical differences were found among patients with or without chemotherapy or EBRT. COX regression analysis showed stage of tumor ( P=0.005) , total resection ( P=0.006) and postoperative radioiodine ( P=0.013) were same to predict longer survival. Conclusions:Thorough resection of tumor is the most important therapy for PDTC. Postoperative radioiodine is recommended for patients with high recurrence risk. EBRT is recommended to control local unresectable PDTC.