title: The role of otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeon's in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
abstract: Thyroid gland is an integral part of the neck region. In the topographic anatomy of the head and neck the gland is located in the middle triangle of the neck. Therefore, it is an organ which is also subject for diagnostic and treatment by otorhinolaryngologists - head and neck surgeons. Material and methods The study group consists of 50 patients aged from 22 to 76 years (mean 48). All patients were treated for suspected thyroid tumor. The ratio of women to men was 35:15. In all patients the same panel of diagnostic tests was used including: endocrinologic consultation, ENT examination with stroboscopic examination with assessment of vocal cord mobility, neck ultrasound examination to assess the thyroid gland and lymph nodes. Results In 50 patients following surgical methods were used: total resection of the thyroid - 28 patients (56%), resection of one lobe of the thyroid - 17 (34%), open biopsy - 6 (12%) patients. In 5 cases tracheotomy was performed. In the case of malignancy (excluding unresctable lesions - 6 patients) selective lymph node dissection of the neck was performed (field III, IV, VI) - 11 patients (22%). Discussion Results of surgical treatment (relative to the percentage damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve) achieved by head and neck surgeons are at levels comparable or higher compared to the results achieved by general surgeons - 1.3% for primary benign lesions (Enomoto et al.).
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chirurgii Głowy, Szyi i Onkologii Laryngologicznej UM Poznaniu Wielkopolskie Centrum Onkologii.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sówka
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chirurgii Głowy, Szyi i Onkologii Laryngologicznej UM Poznaniu Wielkopolskie Centrum Onkologii.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chirurgii Głowy, Szyi i Onkologii Laryngologicznej UM Poznaniu Wielkopolskie Centrum Onkologii.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Majchrzak
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chirurgii Głowy, Szyi i Onkologii Laryngologicznej UM Poznaniu Wielkopolskie Centrum Onkologii.
authors.forename: Wojciecj
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Golusiński
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D024382:Professional Role; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult