title: Use of tracheal stenting in the palliation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: tertiary centre experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is rare but carries a poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma leads to tracheal compression, airway compromise and eventually death. Airway compromise, a particularly distressing symptom, can be palliated with tracheal stenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective case note analysis was conducted of patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma between July 2003 and July 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma were identified. Four patients underwent palliative tracheal stenting. Three patients had no dyspnoea at the time of stenting. Two stented patients subsequently developed dyspnoea secondary to stent migration; this was managed successfully with stent exchange. The other stented patient remained asymptomatic with regards to dyspnoea. All non-stented patients died with or from airway compromise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tracheal stenting is a relatively safe and effective method for palliation of distressing airway symptoms in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Early prophylactic tracheal stenting in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma may be an effective option to prevent development of airway compromise as the disease progresses.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT Surgery,West Middlesex University Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Varadharajan
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT,St George's Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT,St George's Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Odutoye
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT,St George's Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracics and Intensive Care,St George's Hospital,London,UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madden
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D065646:Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Airway Obstruction; Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer; Palliative Care; Stent; Thyroid Neoplasms