Upper airway invasion by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Invasion of the upper airway by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is very unusual. Treatment is primarily surgical resection, but the extent of the resection has been controversial. Adjuvant treatment using I131 or radiotherapy also has an important role in management. We describe two cases of direct infiltration of the larynx and trachea by well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma and discuss the current recommendations for the management of this difficult problem.