Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: outcome of treatment in 16 patients.
OBJECTIVE
Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is very rare and has a poor prognosis. Treatment and outcome were retrospectively analysed in a consecutive series of 16 patients treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital, with the aim of establishing guidelines for management.


RESULTS
Twelve of the 16 patients had locoregional disease only at presentation and four had distant metastases. Eight of the 16 underwent surgery and four were given post-operative radiotherapy. Radiotherapy alone was used in six patients unsuitable for surgery. Median survival was 16 months. There were three long-term survivors; each had localized disease treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. Patients treated with surgery alone all developed local recurrence. Two of six patients treated with radiotherapy alone had a partial response but all subsequently developed progressive local disease. Chemotherapy was used in two patients with no response.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survival is possible if disease is diagnosed early and is completely resected. Surgery should be followed by radical dose radiotherapy.
Cook
A M
AM
Thyroid Unit, Department of Clinical Oncology, Sutton, UK.
Vini
L
L
Harmer
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome