[Undifferentiated carcinoma of the thyroid gland]

Chir Ital. 1994;46(4):37-41.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid is a tumour of advanced age, with a female/male ratio of 2/1. Its incidence is of 1-2 cases/million/year. The tumour is one of the most aggressive neoplasms affecting humans. It spreads very rapidly to the regional lymph nodes and causes distant metastases, in particular in the lungs and bone. Surgery, external radiation or chemotherapy are usually ineffective when used alone. Better results are obtained by combinations of these modalities, in particular by a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy followed by surgery. In our Centre we have, since 1991, adopted a multimodal treatment based on radiotherapy preceded by Cisplatin administration, followed by surgery and then by adjuvant chemotherapy with Adriamycin and Bleomycin. The initial results on a limited number of cases seem encouraging.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Bleomycin / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Carcinoma / therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care
  • Prognosis
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cisplatin