BACKGROUND: Curative surgery can be accomplished by tracheal resection in patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea; however, there is controversy regarding the extent of the tracheal resection. In this study we investigated by means of histologic examination the mode of tracheal invasion by thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea underwent circumferential sleeve resection of the involved trachea. The extent of invasion of the tracheal wall on the adventitial and mucosal sides was compared on histologic examination. RESULTS: Three to nine tracheal rings were resected. Assessment of longitudinal spread showed that one to six rings (mean; 3.1 rings) were invaded on the adventitial side but only zero to four rings (mean; 1.9 rings) on the mucosal side, with invasion on the mucosal side never exceeding invasion on the adventitial side. In contrast, examination of circumferential spread showed invasion on the mucosal side exceeding invasion on the adventitial side in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that when the extent of invasion of the adventitia is considered, carcinoma tissue may be left behind on the mucosal side of the trachea when partial wedge resection is performed and that, whenever feasible, circumferential sleeve resection should be performed in patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea.
BACKGROUND: Curative surgery can be accomplished by tracheal resection in patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea; however, there is controversy regarding the extent of the tracheal resection. In this study we investigated by means of histologic examination the mode of tracheal invasion by thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea underwent circumferential sleeve resection of the involved trachea. The extent of invasion of the tracheal wall on the adventitial and mucosal sides was compared on histologic examination. RESULTS: Three to nine tracheal rings were resected. Assessment of longitudinal spread showed that one to six rings (mean; 3.1 rings) were invaded on the adventitial side but only zero to four rings (mean; 1.9 rings) on the mucosal side, with invasion on the mucosal side never exceeding invasion on the adventitial side. In contrast, examination of circumferential spread showed invasion on the mucosal side exceeding invasion on the adventitial side in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that when the extent of invasion of the adventitia is considered, carcinoma tissue may be left behind on the mucosal side of the trachea when partial wedge resection is performed and that, whenever feasible, circumferential sleeve resection should be performed in patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea.