title: Thyroid carcinoma associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: which policy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyroid carcinoma occurring as a second primary associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unusual. The clinical management of thyroid cancer in such cases has been debated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1975 and 2004, we collected 33 cases. The associated thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed either during or as a consequence of surgery planned as head and neck cancer treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The associated thyroid carcinoma was never seen to recur. Five-year overall survival was 41%. Disease-free survival after 40 and 66 months was 11.1% and 5.6%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We consider the treatment of thyroid cancer to be complete when the thyroid gland, either with or without lymph nodes, has been included in the specimen obtained during surgery for HNSCC. In the group of cases in which associated thyroid carcinoma was only found within the neck lymph nodes and the thyroid gland has not been treated, we discourage further surgical treatment or radioactive iodine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzzo
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quattrone
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seregni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mattavelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy