Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Oct;44(10):1080-1084.

The Study for Prognostic Factors in Anaplastic Carcinoma of the Thyroid

• Heo SC
• Kim SY
• Nam SY
• Lim GC
• Yoo SJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid gland is a lethal entity: few patients live more than 12 months following the diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed the experience with this entity at our institute with respect to prognostic factors influencing survival.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen cases of anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid gland diagonsed from 1995 to 2000 were analyzed retrospectively. The median age at presentation was 66.2 years; the male/female ratio was 1.17:1: and the most common symptom was a rapidly enlarging neck mass.
RESULTS
All but one patient died within one year of diagnosis. Tumor size of less than 7 cm and complete resection of tumor were significant prognostic factors. Patients who had operation with or without radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy survived significantly longer than other patients. Median survival duration was 74 days.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that complete resection and multimodal treatment for tumor of size less than 7 cm resulted in prolonged survival for a subgroup of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Keyword

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid; Complete resection; Size; Multimodal treatment

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma*
Combined Modality Therapy
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Humans
Neck
Radiotherapy
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms