Faculty Collaboration Database

Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Clinical outcomes with conformal radiotherapy. Head Neck 2010 Jul;32(7):829-36

Date

11/04/2009

Pubmed ID

19885924

DOI

10.1002/hed.21257

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-77954417182 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   76 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to review institutional outcomes for anaplastic thyroid cancer treated with conformal 3-dimensional radiotherapy (3DRT) or intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

METHODS: In all, 53 consecutive patients were analyzed. Thirty-one (58%) patients were irradiated with curative intent. Median radiation dose was 55 Gray (Gy; range, 4-70 Gy). Thirteen (25%) patients received IMRT to a median 60 Gy (range, 39.9-69.0 Gy). Thirty-nine (74%) patients received chemotherapy with radiation.

RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival (OS) at 1 year for definitively irradiated patients was 29%. Patients without distant metastases receiving >or=50 Gy had superior survival outcomes; 5 such patients had no evidence of disease at last follow-up. Use of IMRT versus 3DRT did not influence toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes for anaplastic thyroid cancer treated with 3DRT or IMRT remain equivalent to historical results. Healthy patients with localized disease who tolerate full dose irradiation can potentially enjoy prolonged survival. Biologically targeted radiosensitization merits prioritized investigation.

Author List

Bhatia A, Rao A, Ang KK, Garden AS, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Evans DB, Clayman G, Sherman SI, Schwartz DL

Author

Douglas B. Evans MD Chair, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anaplasia
Cohort Studies
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Survival Rate
Thyroid Neoplasms
Treatment Outcome