title: Application of intensity-modulated radiotherapy in unresectable poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with high rates of invasion and distant metastasis. This study was to explore the ability of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with chemotherapy to manage unresectable PDTC. Between February 2011 and April 2012, 5 patients with unresectable PDTC were treated by IMRT at our institution and were included in this analysis. The median radiotherapy dose to the gross tumor volume (GTV) was 66 Gy/33 fractions/6.4 weeks. All patients received chemotherapy, and one patient with tumor compression symptoms had a tracheotomy before treatment. The mean survival time of the 5 patients was 41.6 months. The direct causes of death were distant metastases (40%) and progression of the locoregional disease (20%). In conclusion, IMRT combined with chemotherapy for unresectable PDTC might be beneficial to improve locoregional control. Further new therapies are needed to control metastases.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Fen
authors: F
authors: Xue
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Duanshu
authors: D
authors: Li
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Chaosu
authors: C
authors: Hu
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Zhuoying
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Xiayun
authors: X
authors: He
authors: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: chemotherapy; distant metastases; intensity modulated radiotherapy; locoregional control; unresectable poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma