Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Clinical outcomes with conformal radiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to review institutional outcomes for anaplastic thyroid cancer treated with conformal 3-dimensional radiotherapy (3DRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).


METHODS
In all, 53 consecutive patients were analyzed. Thirty-one (58%) patients were irradiated with curative intent. Median radiation dose was 55 Gray (Gy; range, 4-70 Gy). Thirteen (25%) patients received IMRT to a median 60 Gy (range, 39.9-69.0 Gy). Thirty-nine (74%) patients received chemotherapy with radiation.


RESULTS
The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival (OS) at 1 year for definitively irradiated patients was 29%. Patients without distant metastases receiving >or=50 Gy had superior survival outcomes; 5 such patients had no evidence of disease at last follow-up. Use of IMRT versus 3DRT did not influence toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes for anaplastic thyroid cancer treated with 3DRT or IMRT remain equivalent to historical results. Healthy patients with localized disease who tolerate full dose irradiation can potentially enjoy prolonged survival. Biologically targeted radiosensitization merits prioritized investigation.
Bhatia
Aarti
A
Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Rao
Archana
A
Ang
Kie-Kian
KK
Garden
Adam S
AS
Morrison
William H
WH
Rosenthal
David I
DI
Evans
Douglas B
DB
Clayman
Gary
G
Sherman
Steven I
SI
Schwartz
David L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000708:Anaplasia / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome