Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: palliation or treatment?

作者：Wein Richard O^*; Weber Randal S

来源：Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, 2011, 19(2): 113-118.

DOI：10.1097/MOO.0b013e328343af3d

• anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
• extrathyroidal spread
• locally invasive thyroid carcinoma
• undifferentiated thyroid cancer

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.

• 出版日期2011-4