Prognostic Factors of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: An Egyptian Single Institution Experience
Journal Title: Middle East Journal of Cancer - Year 2018, Vol 9, Issue 4
Abstract
Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an extremely aggressive cancer that has a very poor outcome. We have analyzed predictive factors for overall survival and different therapeutic modalities that could help to determine the optimal therapy for this carcinoma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 54 cases of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma to evaluate demographic, pathological, and clinical characteristics, along with therapeutic modalities that affected survival. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to visualize the cumulative probability of survival and comparison among/between groups was performed with the log-rank test. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to examine overall survival. Results: We observed overall survival percentages of 50% (one-year), 25% (2- year), and 5.6% (5-year). The 2-year overall survival was 41.7% for stage IVA, 31.5% for stage IVB, and 7.4% for stage IVC (P= 0.04). The 2-year overall survival rates were 59.3% for patients with negative margins, 30.1% for those with positive margins, and 0.0% in the group without thyroidectomy (P=0.005). Surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy indicated better 2-year overall survival (56%) compared to surgery alone (34.7%, P<0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that factors predictive of improved overall survival included tumor size (≤5 cm), duration of complaint >one month, no reported metastasis at presentation, negative surgical margins, surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. Conclusion: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. Multimodality treatment may improve overall survival in these patients. Duration of symptoms, primary tumor size, distant metastases, surgical treatment, surgical margin status, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are independent factors that affect prognosis.
Authors and Affiliations
Rasha Hamdy Hamed, Hanem Sakr, Ahmed Lotfy
Low-grade Myxofibrosarcoma in the Mandible: A Rare Case Report
Myxofibrosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of connective tissue origin commonly found in the extremities. It is very rare in the head and neck regions. Only 25 cases of myxofibrosarcoma have been reported in the head and n...
Salivary Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) as a Marker for Radiation-induced Mucositis in Head and Neck Cancers: A Preliminary Study
Background: In this study, we sought to understand the usefulness of salivary lactate dehydrogenase as a predictive marker for the development of radiation-induced mucositis. Methods: This was a prospective study with he...
Corresponding Author: Chronic Uterine Inversion Secondary to Uterine Sarcoma: A Case Report
Chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion is a rare condition that usually presents with vaginal bleeding and vaginal mass. Frequently, it is caused by benign and malignant tumors. A mass in the vagina, particularly if it...
Assessment of Elevated Serum Tumor Markers Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) among Patients with Different Subtypes of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Background: Cancer antigen 15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigen are used in clinical and laboratory diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Previous studies have noted conflicting results about the association between carcin...
Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma of the Neck Recurring after Trimodality Therapy: A Rare and Aggressive Neoplasm
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is one of the rare and aggressive neoplasms originating from follicular dendritic cells of lymphoid tissues. It commonly presents as asymptomatic lymphadenopathy, but extranodal involvem...