BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastases are relatively common in thyroid carcinoma, but retropharyngeal nodes (RPN) are rare. Management may be surgical or non-surgical, according to the context of the disease. METHODS: Systematic review of cases reported in the literature and report of 5 cases. RESULTS: Most case series report surgical management, via a cervical or transoral approach. RPN was the specific object of 26 case series, with a total of 85 patients, with surgery performed in 22/26 studies. Our 5 cases illustrated various strategies in the multidisciplinary management, with surgery for three patients (also with (131)I in one case), targeted therapy for one patient with concurrent distant metastases, and watch and wait for one elderly patient. CONCLUSIONS: Management of RPN is not always surgical. Discussion of options in a multidisciplinary tumor board setting may optimize care.
BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastases are relatively common in thyroid carcinoma, but retropharyngeal nodes (RPN) are rare. Management may be surgical or non-surgical, according to the context of the disease. METHODS: Systematic review of cases reported in the literature and report of 5 cases. RESULTS: Most case series report surgical management, via a cervical or transoral approach. RPN was the specific object of 26 case series, with a total of 85 patients, with surgery performed in 22/26 studies. Our 5 cases illustrated various strategies in the multidisciplinary management, with surgery for three patients (also with (131)I in one case), targeted therapy for one patient with concurrent distant metastases, and watch and wait for one elderly patient. CONCLUSIONS: Management of RPN is not always surgical. Discussion of options in a multidisciplinary tumor board setting may optimize care.
Authors: David S Cooper; Gerard M Doherty; Bryan R Haugen; Bryan R Hauger; Richard T Kloos; Stephanie L Lee; Susan J Mandel; Ernest L Mazzaferri; Bryan McIver; Furio Pacini; Martin Schlumberger; Steven I Sherman; David L Steward; R Michael Tuttle Journal: Thyroid Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: G Desuter; M Lonneux; I Plouin-Gaudon; F Jamar; E Coche; B Weynand; J Rahier; V Grégoire; G Andry; M Hamoir Journal: Eur J Surg Oncol Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 4.424
Authors: Sally E Carty; David S Cooper; Gerard M Doherty; Quan-Yang Duh; Richard T Kloos; Susan J Mandel; Gregory W Randolph; Brendan C Stack; David L Steward; David J Terris; Geoffrey B Thompson; Ralph P Tufano; R Michael Tuttle; Robert Udelsman Journal: Thyroid Date: 2009-11 Impact factor: 6.568
Authors: G Thomas; M Pandey; K Jayasree; V M Pradeep; E K Abraham; E M Iype; M Krishnan Nair Journal: Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 1.651
Authors: Victoria Harries; Marlena McGill; R Michael Tuttle; Ashok R Shaha; Richard J Wong; Jatin P Shah; Snehal G Patel; Ian Ganly Journal: Thyroid Date: 2020-02-07 Impact factor: 6.568