Undifferentiated giant and spindle cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Report on two combined treatment modalities

Acta Radiol Oncol Radiat Phys Biol. 1979;18(5):408-16. doi: 10.3109/02841867909128226.

Abstract

Undifferentiated giant and spindle cell carcinoma of the thyroid is a rapidly fatal disease. Most patients die from local tumour progression and with distant metastases. A combination of debulking surgery, irradiation and combination chemotherapy is reported. An improvement of the local results of treatment was observed. A combination of irradiation and chemotherapy resulted in local control in only one of 8 patients. Therefore, debulking surgery was added in the next 5 patients and a local control was achieved in 4.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / mortality
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / radiotherapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / mortality
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Thyroidectomy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents