Richard O Wein1, Randal S Weber. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. rwein@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent published literature on the topic of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and discern if significant advances have occurred that alter the historically poor prognosis associated with this diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Surgical resection for patients with stage IVA disease (intra-thyroidal without extracapsular extension) with postoperative chemoradiation remains the standard recommendation. Care for patients with stage IVB disease, extrathyroidal spread without distant metastases, remains varied and controversial. Research into different molecular therapies (deacetylase inhibitors, tubulin binding compounds, etc.) and the pathogenesis of anaplastic carcinoma continues to evolve. Care for patients with metastatic disease, stage IVC, is focused on quality of life. SUMMARY: Although occasional reports exist of long-term survivors with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, the prognosis remains poor. Accurate staging is critical to offering the most appropriate treatment. Multimodality treatment is required if prolonged locoregional control or survival is desired.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent published literature on the topic of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and discern if significant advances have occurred that alter the historically poor prognosis associated with this diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Surgical resection for patients with stage IVA disease (intra-thyroidal without extracapsular extension) with postoperative chemoradiation remains the standard recommendation. Care for patients with stage IVB disease, extrathyroidal spread without distant metastases, remains varied and controversial. Research into different molecular therapies (deacetylase inhibitors, tubulin binding compounds, etc.) and the pathogenesis of anaplastic carcinoma continues to evolve. Care for patients with metastatic disease, stage IVC, is focused on quality of life. SUMMARY: Although occasional reports exist of long-term survivors with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, the prognosis remains poor. Accurate staging is critical to offering the most appropriate treatment. Multimodality treatment is required if prolonged locoregional control or survival is desired.
Authors: Robert I Haddad; William M Lydiatt; Douglas W Ball; Naifa Lamki Busaidy; David Byrd; Glenda Callender; Paxton Dickson; Quan-Yang Duh; Hormoz Ehya; Megan Haymart; Carl Hoh; Jason P Hunt; Andrei Iagaru; Fouad Kandeel; Peter Kopp; Dominick M Lamonica; Judith C McCaffrey; Jeffrey F Moley; Lee Parks; Christopher D Raeburn; John A Ridge; Matthew D Ringel; Randall P Scheri; Jatin P Shah; Robert C Smallridge; Cord Sturgeon; Thomas N Wang; Lori J Wirth; Karin G Hoffmann; Miranda Hughes Journal: J Natl Compr Canc Netw Date: 2015-09 Impact factor: 11.908
Authors: Mariavittoria Dima; Kelly A Miller; Valeria Gabriela Antico-Arciuch; Antonio Di Cristofano Journal: Thyroid Date: 2011-07-18 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: S Jang; X-M Yu; S Odorico; M Clark; R Jaskula-Sztul; C M Schienebeck; K R Kupcho; A D Harrison; G N Winston-McPherson; W Tang; H Chen Journal: Cancer Gene Ther Date: 2015-08-07 Impact factor: 5.987
Authors: P Jiménez-Fonseca; J M Gómez Saez; J Santamaria Sandi; J Capdevila; E Navarro Gonzalez; C Zafon Llopis; T Ramón Y Cajal Asensio; G Riesco-Eizaguirre; E Grande; J C Galofré Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2016-04-05 Impact factor: 3.405