Abstract
In patients with advanced thyroid cancer a combined resection of the surrounding invading organs with local radicality may be useful in terms of both QOL and survival.
For the past 20 years we have performed such operations in 48 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Out of these, circumferential resection of the trachea with end to end anastomosis was carried out in 39 patients. The result was a 10 year survival rate of 67.7%. Esophageal resection and reconstruction was performed using ileal interposition in 2 patients and a forearm skin in one patient. Resection of the common carotid artery and reconstruction with an artificial graft was performed in 2 patients. In order to preserve the larynx, a T-tube was used in 3 patients with bilateral palsy. Permanent hoarsness remained in 21 out of 38 patients.
Combined resection of cancerous organs is a useful method for patients with advanced thyroid cancer.
