Chemotherapy with doxorubicin in progressive medullary and thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium.
Twenty-two patients (mean age 61) with metastasizing, progressive, nonradioiodine-accumulating thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium were treated with doxorubicin between 2000 and 2005. Tumors were histologically classified as follicular in 15 patients (68%) and papillary in 7 patients (32%). In addition, nine patients (mean age 51 years) with medullary thyroid carcinoma were treated with doxorubicin between 1997 and 2005. Treatment consisted of doxorubicin: either 8 cycles of 15 mg/m2 weekly or 3 cycles of 60 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, repeated once, depending on response and side effects. The effect of therapy was evaluated by radiographic imaging, [18F] FDG-PET, and bone scans. In patients with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma, 5% had a partial regression over 6 months, 42% had stable disease for a median of 7 months (range: 1-22), and 53% had continuous progression established over 5 months (range: 1-11). Three patients died before completing chemotherapy. In patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, 11% had a partial regression over 6 months followed by stable disease for 3 months, 11% had stable disease over 7 months, and 79% demonstrated progressive disease established over 5 months (range: 2-12). Doxorubicin can be a valid chemotherapy option, especially for advanced or metastatic thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium.
Matuszczyk
A
A
Division of Endocrinology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. Anna.Matuszczyk@gmx.de
Petersenn
S
S
Bockisch
A
A
Gorges
R
R
Sheu
S Y
SY
Veit
P
P
Mann
K
K
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011859:Radiography; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin