title: Surgical treatment of sternal metastases from thyroid carcinoma: report of two cases.
abstract: Radioiodine therapy is currently the treatment of choice for metastasizing differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however, skeletal metastases are resistant to this form of therapy. The surgical removal of distant metastases from DTC offers the best chance for prolonged survival and improved quality of life. Furthermore, the surgical removal of a resectable skeletal metastasis can be a valuable complement to radioiodine therapy. This report describes two cases of sternal metastases from thyroid carcinoma that were managed successfully by surgery involving partial excision of the sternum followed by reconstruction of the chest wall with Marlex mesh. Both patients recovered uneventfully. Sternal resection with Marlex mesh reconstruction of the chest wall defect proved a simple and effective method for managing sternal metastasis. Thus, the surgical resection of distant bony metastases in patients with DTC is recommended as it can be curative, provide symptomatic palliation, or allow for more effective radioiodine treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrine Surgery, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes