Application of intensity-modulated radiotherapy in unresectable poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Abstract

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with high rates of invasion and distant metastasis. This study was to explore the ability of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with chemotherapy to manage unresectable PDTC. Between February 2011 and April 2012, 5 patients with unresectable PDTC were treated by IMRT at our institution and were included in this analysis. The median radiotherapy dose to the gross tumor volume (GTV) was 66 Gy/33 fractions/6.4 weeks. All patients received chemotherapy, and one patient with tumor compression symptoms had a tracheotomy before treatment. The mean survival time of the 5 patients was 41.6 months. The direct causes of death were distant metastases (40%) and progression of the locoregional disease (20%). In conclusion, IMRT combined with chemotherapy for unresectable PDTC might be beneficial to improve locoregional control. Further new therapies are needed to control metastases.

• Authors: Fen Xue, Duanshu Li, Chaosu Hu, Zhuoying Wang, Xiayun He, Yi Wu
• Journal: Oncotarget (Oncotarget) Vol. 8 Issue 9 Pg. 15934-15942 (Feb 28 2017) ISSN: 1949-2553 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27776342 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Cell Differentiation
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated (methods)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (radiotherapy, surgery)