BACKGROUND: Local invasion of the upper aerodigestive tract by thyroid cancer, although uncommon, is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. The impact of aerodigestive tract resection on the functional status and quality of life of the patient has not previously been investigated. METHODS: Patients with locally invasive thyroid cancer were included in a prospective surgical protocol. Swallowing function was assessed with barium swallow at 7 days and 1 month postoperatively. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was measured using a validated head and neck QOL instrument. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent airway resection for locally invasive recurrent thyroid cancer in the period 1999 to 2001. At 1 week postoperative 3 of 7 (43%) had no evidence of aspiration on barium swallow. At 4 weeks 6 of 7 (86%) had no aspiration. Postoperative QOL scores in the domains of eating function (85.2) and emotional status (78.6) were significantly better than those of a comparison group undergoing treatment for cancers of the oropharynx, P = 0.012 and P = 0.0077, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal resection for locally invasive thyroid cancer is associated with a return to full dietary intake within 4 weeks of surgery in most cases. Function and QOL after this type of surgery are acceptable.
BACKGROUND: Local invasion of the upper aerodigestive tract by thyroid cancer, although uncommon, is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. The impact of aerodigestive tract resection on the functional status and quality of life of the patient has not previously been investigated. METHODS:Patients with locally invasive thyroid cancer were included in a prospective surgical protocol. Swallowing function was assessed with barium swallow at 7 days and 1 month postoperatively. Postoperative quality of life (QOL) was measured using a validated head and neck QOL instrument. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent airway resection for locally invasive recurrent thyroid cancer in the period 1999 to 2001. At 1 week postoperative 3 of 7 (43%) had no evidence of aspiration on barium swallow. At 4 weeks 6 of 7 (86%) had no aspiration. Postoperative QOL scores in the domains of eating function (85.2) and emotional status (78.6) were significantly better than those of a comparison group undergoing treatment for cancers of the oropharynx, P = 0.012 and P = 0.0077, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheal resection for locally invasive thyroid cancer is associated with a return to full dietary intake within 4 weeks of surgery in most cases. Function and QOL after this type of surgery are acceptable.
Authors: Andreas Kirschbaum; Afshin Teymoortash; Carlos Suárez; Jatin P Shah; Carl E Silver; Iain Nixon; Alessandra Rinaldo; Luiz P Kowalski; K Thomas Robbins; Alfio Ferlito Journal: Auris Nasus Larynx Date: 2016-04-14 Impact factor: 1.863
Authors: N Siddhartha Chakravarthy; Varghese Thomas; Thomas Shawn Sam; Supriya Sen; Anish Jacob Cherian; Deepak Thomas Abraham; Paul Mazhuvanchary Jacob Journal: Indian J Surg Oncol Date: 2021-08-04