Thyroid gland management in total laryngectomy: meta-analysis and surgical recommendations.
OBJECTIVE
1) Review the incidence of thyroid gland invasion by squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma reported in the literature. 2) Assess the association between thyroid gland invasion and anatomical characteristics of the laryngeal tumor.


METHODS
MEDLINE (1967-2007) and EMBASE (1980-2007). These databases were supplemented with 61 patients from McGill University who underwent total laryngectomy with hemi- or total thyroidectomy from 2001-2006.


METHODS
Systematic review for series of laryngeal carcinoma that commented on thyroid gland invasion according to tumor subsite and pathological characteristics. Total laryngectomy specimens for primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with concomitant thyroid resection were included in the analysis.


RESULTS
In total, eight series (n = 399) were included in the meta-analysis. Thyroid gland invasion was present in 33 laryngectomy specimens (8%); the principal method of invasion of the gland was by direct extralaryngeal extension. Subglottic extension > 10 mm (OR 7.22 [2.05 to 25.46]; P = 0.002), transglottic tumors (OR 3.23 [1.16 to 9.00]; P = 0.025), and subglottic subsite (OR 5.66 [1.34 to 23.87]; P = 0.018) were all significantly associated with thyroid gland invasion. Cartilaginous invasion by tumor was not a significant predictor of thyroid gland invasion (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid gland invasion is not a general feature of squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma. When present, it is strongly associated with anteroinferior spread of advanced laryngeal tumors. Thyroidectomy may only be required during total laryngectomy for transglottic tumors, subglottic tumors, and tumors with subglottic extension >10 mm.
Mendelson
Asher A
AA
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Jewish General Hospital Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Al-Khatib
Talal A
TA
Julien
Marilyse
M
Payne
Richard J
RJ
Black
Martin J
MJ
Hier
Michael P
MP
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013965:Thyroidectomy