Combination adriamycin and radiation therapy for locally advanced carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

We have devised a new treatment regimen consisting of combination adriamycin and radiation therapy for the treatment of locally advanced differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland. The regimen consists of a once weekly administration of low dose adriamycin (10 mg/m2) and radiation therapy. The radiation therapy is carried out with a fractional dose of 200 rad per treatment, five times per week, for 5 1/2 weeks. Since 1979, eight patients underwent the combination treatment regimen and seven out of eight achieved complete tumor regression in the primary treated area. There was no disproportionately enhanced normal tissue morbidity seen with this approach.