Palliative thyroidectomy for malignant lymphoma of the thyroid.
BACKGROUND
Current treatment of malignant lymphoma of the thyroid consists of chemotherapy and external beam radiation. The diagnosis can routinely be made by fine-needle aspiration, obviating the need for surgery. However, a significant number of patients present with symptoms of obstruction, necessitating thyroidectomy for palliation.


METHODS
To determine the outcomes of patients with malignant thyroid lymphoma after palliative thyroidectomy, we reviewed our experience. Between 1980 and 2001, 27 patients with thyroid lymphoma and symptoms or signs of airway and/or esophageal obstruction were evaluated at 1 of 3 academic institutions.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 66 +/- 3 years, and the majority was female. Patients presented with symptoms of dyspnea/stridor (30%), dysphagia/pain (30%), or impending airway obstruction (40%). All underwent palliative surgery. In addition to surgery, 10 patients had combined chemo- and radiotherapy, 10 had radiotherapy alone, and 4 had only chemotherapy. Symptom-free survival after palliative surgery was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The mean actuarial symptom-free survival of patients with symptomatic, malignant thyroid lymphoma was 10 years (95% confidence interval, 7.67 to 12.33 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with malignant lymphoma of the thyroid can present with obstructive symptoms requiring palliative intervention. In this group of patients, thyroidectomy can be associated with good long-term palliation and low morbidity.
Sippel
Rebecca S
RS
Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA.
Gauger
Paul G
PG
Angelos
Peter
P
Thompson
Norman W
NW
Mack
Eberhard
E
Chen
Herbert
H
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy