A combined modality for anaplastic large-cell carcinoma of the thyroid.
The survival rates of 55 patients with anaplastic large-cell carcinoma of the thyroid with various combinations of treatment were analyzed to estimate the most effective way to cure the disease. A total of 21 patients with infiltration into subclavial vessels, plexus brachialis, vagus, sympathics, phrenic nerve, and/or hypoglossus died within 7 months after the diagnosis and most of them died within 2 months. The prognosis of patients with such tumor infiltration was very poor. Among 34 patients without infiltration of the above-mentioned structures, 12 were treated by radiation therapy alone or with chemotherapy, 8 were treated by surgery plus radiation therapy, and 13 were treated by a combination treatment consisting of operation, radiation, and chemotherapy. The post-therapeutic one-year survival rates were 7.7, 12.5, and 75%, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that a combination treatment of surgical operation and radiotherapy plus chemotherapy should be the best for treatment of this tumor.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents