Management of thyroid carcinoma invading the aerodigestive tract

Objectives: To evaluate approaches to thyroid carcinoma invading the aerodigestive tract, with particular attention to well-differentiated carcinomas. Study Design: Retrospective review of experience with thyroid carcinoma invading the aerodigestive tract over a 20-year period at a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: The medical records of all patients with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer treated at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, from 1977 through 1997 were reviewed. Multiple clinical variables were analyzed including treatment, development of recurrence, and survival. Survival and time to local recurrence were determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis, and statistical comparisons were made using log-rank analysis. Results: Five hundred thirty-six cases were identified; 28 patients (5.2%) were identified with invasive disease involving the aerodigestive tract. Histologic findings at the time of invasion included 15 well-differentiated (WD) carcinomas and 13 poorly differentiated (PD) carcinomas. Eight of the 28 patients (5 WD, 3 PD) underwent surgical resection of some portion of the aerodigestive tract with curative intent. Ten patients (8 WD, 2 PD) underwent incomplete resection with tumor left adjacent to aerodigestive tract structures. All patients undergoing incomplete resection developed local recurrence. Six required salvage resection, as opposed to no recurrences in WD carcinomas following complete resection (P = .01). Survival at 5 years for WD carcinomas undergoing complete resection versus initial incomplete resection was 100% versus 50%, respectively (P = .27). Conclusion: Review of our experience shows that complete resection of thyroid carcinoma invading the aerodigestive tract can offer prolonged palliation, improved local control, and the opportunity for cure in selected patients.     

A rare invasion route for differentiated thyroid carcinoma: The tracheoesophageal common party wall

Thyroid carcinoma can infiltrate the aerodigestive tract. Invasion via the common party wall of the tracheoesophageal groove (TEG) is rare. A review of patients with thyroid cancer invading the aerodigestive tract was performed. We describe three cases of invasive thyroid cancer presenting 4 to 6 years after the initial thyroidectomy. Original pathology showed positive margins near the recurrent laryngeal nerve and TEG. A partial tracheal resection with a stair‐step reconstruction was performed in one case; the other cases required total laryngopharyngectomy. Surgeons should be prepared to perform oncologically complete resections at the primary surgery to avoid potentially significant clinical consequences requiring aggressive surgery. Laryngoscope, 129:E455–E459, 2019     

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract Associated With WellDifferentiated Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland

The association of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract with well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas has rarely been reported in the literature. We report 10 cases illustrating this occurrence. In eight cases, the thyroid carcinoma was discovered accidentally on histological examination of a single neck node, a neck node dissection specimen, an unexpectedly found thyroid nodule, or a systematically resected thyroid lobe, all during surgical treatment of an upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma. In the other two cases, metastatic thyroid neck nodes appeared during the follow-up of a patient with an upper aerodigestive tract carcinoma. No case of upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas was found during the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients. In most cases, adequate thyroid cancer surgery was performed simultaneously or later. Prognosis was essentially determined by the upper aerodigestive tract cancer.     

Thyroid carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive system

Well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma infrequently invades the upper aerodigestive tract. However, when invasion occurs it is the source of significant morbidity and excess mortality. The most common structures invaded by thyroid carcinoma are the recurrent laryngeal nerves, larynx, pharynx, and esophagus, which can produce symptoms of airway insufficiency, dysphagia, and hemoptysis. Locally invasive thyroid carcinoma can often be successfully treated while preserving function of the upper airway. If the tumor involves only the wall of the larynx or trachea without intraluminal extension, "shaving" the tumor from the trachea or larynx will produce local control rates comparable to more radical and destructive procedures. Intraluminal extension is a more serious problem that usually requires resection of a portion of the aerodigestive tract. Even in this situation, partial laryngeal or tracheal resection with preservation of function might be possible and should be used. Adjuvant therapy using radioiodine or external beam radiotherapy should be considered an integral part of any treatment plan for these tumors. These modalities will significantly reduce the rate of local recurrence and control symptomatic local disease.     

Conservative surgical management of invasive differentiated thyroid cancer

The majority of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma are tumours of low grade malignancy. Laryngotracheal invasion by well differentiated thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon occurrence. The surgical management of patients with thyroid cancer invading the upper airway has primarily been by total laryngectomy. Other surgeons recommend in selected cases partial laryngeal and/or tracheal resection. A total of 122 patients with thyroid carcinoma were treated in our department between 1967 and 1982. Only seven patients with well differentiated tumours had airway invasion. In these seven patients we used a partial laryngeal and/or tracheal resection. In three of the patients with tracheal invasion a myoperichondrial flap was used for closing the tracheal defect. A partial resection of the larynx and trachea, and end to end anastomosis between the trachea and the remaining part of the larynx was performed in another four patients. The techniques used and a long-term follow-up are presented (Table I).     

Management of the locally aggressive thyroid carcinoma

The management of locally advanced thyroid carcinoma can be challenging. Differing philosophies exist for the treatment of invasive disease affecting the upper aerodigestive tract. The ability to maximize local control and overall survival while minimizing the morbidity of a radical resection is the goal of care in these patients. This article will review the literature concerning the presentation, preoperative evaluation, and the subsite treatment of locally aggressive well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.     

侵及气道和消化道的晚期甲状腺癌的外科治疗

OBJECTIVE: To study the surgical management of the advanced thyroid carcinoma with aero-digestive invasion. METHODS: To analyze 18 cases of advanced thyroid carcinoma which had aerodigestive invasion retrospectively, the patients were treated from 1988 to 1998. RESULTS: The rate of aerodigestive invasion occur was 3.5% (18/516), The inner cavity invaded rate was 2.7% (14/516). The most invaded organ was trachea; The others were esophagus and larynx, pharynx; Two and/or more organs invaded rates were 44. 4% (8/18). The cases that survived 1, 3, 5 and 10 year were 17, 14, 9 and 6. The 5 years survival rates of the differentiated thyroid cancer (61.5%) were more higher than the undifferentiated thyroid cancer (20.0%), but there were no statistical difference between them (P > 0.05) and the same in clinical stage (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal extension is a more serious problem in which usually extensive resection of the aerodigestive tract is required. Effective surgical treatment combined with postoperative auxiliary management for this kind of patients may achieve a good long term results.     

Prostate carcinoma metastatic to the cervical lymph nodes: Report of two cases and review of the literature

The cervical lymph nodes are a common site of metastasis for cancers originating in the upper aerodigestive tract. Rarely, cancers originating from sites other than the head and neck can metastasize to the cervical lymph node chain. We report on 2 recent patients with metastatic prostate cancer to the cervical lymph nodes.     

Paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by an extracapsular thyroid adenoma

We treated a patient with an ectopic thyroid adenoma that caused recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and upper aerodigestive tract compression. After excision of the mass and release of the compressed recurrent nerve, the true vocal cord function returned almost to normal. We review the literature, diagnosis, and management of thyroid disease associated with vocal cord paralysis.     

Amyloidosis of the upper aerodigestive tract

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To delineate the clinical and pathologic characteristics of upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis with particular attention to laryngeal amyloidosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients with amyloidosis of Thomas Jefferson University and its affiliated hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The charts of 16 patients with upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis identified from the databases of the Thomas Jefferson University pathology department were reviewed and included in the study. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (9 male and 7 female, with an average age of 49.8 years) with upper aerodigestive tract amyloidosis were identified. The most common site of amyloid involvement was the larynx. Consequently, patients most commonly presented with hoarseness (14 of 16). All patients underwent surgical removal of the amyloid deposits. Fourteen patients had primary localized amyloidosis. Two experienced systemic involvement. Seven of the 16 patients developed recurrences requiring further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Amyloidosis of the upper aerodigestive tract generally behaves as a benign, localized condition treatable by surgical resection. Regular follow-up with laryngoscopy is indicated for early diagnosis of recurrence, and multiple surgical procedures may be required to control symptoms.     

Early detection of premalignant lesions and oral cancer

Cancers of the oral cavity account for approximately 3% of malignancies diagnosed annually in the United States. As with other upper aerodigestive tract cancers, 5-year survival rates for oral cavity cancers decrease with delayed diagnosis. Cancers of the oral cavity are thought to progress from premalignant/precancerous lesions, beginning as hyperplastic tissue and developing into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the general accessibility of the oral cavity during physical examination, many malignancies are not diagnosed until late stages of disease. To prevent malignant transformation of these oral precursor lesions, multiple screening and detection techniques have been developed to address this problem.     

Functional outcomes after free flap reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: When the complex structures of the upper aerodigestive tract are disrupted after resection of head and neck tumors, an appropriate reconstructive option should be chosen in an attempt to regain maximum function. Reconstructions using microvascular free tissue transfer offer unparalleled flexibility, both in tissue composition and in placement. This article will examine functional outcomes after free flap reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract. RECENT FINDINGS: With the maturation of free tissue transfer techniques, functional outcomes are being analyzed with increasing frequency. Recent reports show promising results for free flap reconstruction of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal soft tissue defects, as well as for bony mandibular and maxillary defects. SUMMARY: For both soft tissue and bony defects of the upper aerodigestive tract, microvascular free flaps provide good functional outcomes. In the future, randomized studies are needed to compare the functional outcomes of microvascular free flaps with those of other reconstructive options.     

Multiple primary malignant tumours in patients with head and neck cancer: the implications for follow-up

The pattern of second primary cancer occurrence in 518 Scottish patients with head and neck cancer was determined by a retrospective study. The overall incidence of second cancers was 9% but the true incidence increased steadily in the years following initial diagnosis to reach a maximum of 21% at 11 years. After 4 years of follow-up patients were more likely to die from a second primary cancer than from the effects of the initial tumour. The Scottish cohort differed from previously reported, overseas, study groups in having a high incidence of second primary cancers in sites outside the upper aerodigestive tract. This potential demographic difference suggests a need for local audit prior to design and implementation of screening protocols for second primary cancers.     

Treatment of a thyroid neoplasm infiltrating the respiratory-digestive tracts

From 1992 to 1999, 58 thyroid gland operations (41 female and 17 male) were performed in ENT Department of the District Hospital in Rzeszów. In 14 (21.4%) cases (9 female and 5 male) thyroid surgery was done for malignant disorders: papillary carcinoma in 11 (79%) patients, follicular carcinoma in 2 patients and medullary carcinoma in 1 patient. There were neck metastases in 9/14 (64.4%) patients. In 3 cases with papillary carcinoma (all with neck metastases) aerodigestive tract was invaded. One patient had neoplasmatic invasion of the larynx and trachea, one patient had invasion of larynx et pharynx and in one patient tumour invaded the esophageal wall. In those patients radical surgery was done: total thyroidectomy with total laryngectomy and radical neck dissection (2 patients) and subtotal thyroidectomy with conservative neck dissection (1 patient). External beam irradiation and radioactive iodine 131 treatment followed surgery. Two patients are still alive 6 years after the treatment free of disease, and 1 patient died of unrelated causes 3 months after the surgery. Symptoms, diagnostic evaluation and treatment of thyroid papillary carcinoma invading the aerodigestive tract are detailed in paper.     

Impact of re-resection for inadequate margins on the prognosis of upper aerodigestive tract cancer treated by laser microsurgery

OBJECTIVES: Positive or uncertain surgical margins left untreated have a distinct prognostic relevance in squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. An advantage of transoral laser microsurgery is that it can be easily repeated if inadequate resection margins are found postoperatively. The present study investigates the impact of laser surgical reresection on the outcome of patients. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a retrospective unicenter study. METHODS: A review of 1,467 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract who were initially treated by transoral laser microsurgery with curative intent between August 1986 and December 2002 was conducted. Locoregional control as well as TNM adjusted and overall survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-six patients have required reresection to obtain clear surgical margins, in 70 of whom residual carcinoma has been detected in revision specimens. Patients without need for revision and those in whom revision specimens were found tumor-free had an almost identical locoregional control (P = .4611). In patients with positive revision specimens, however, locoregional control was significantly worsened (P = .0058). Neither the need for reresection nor the detection of further tumor tissue in revision specimens affected TNM adjusted or overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Survival of patients was similar whether clear resection margins were reached within the first surgical step or with revision surgery. However, patients in whom reresection specimens contained residual carcinoma had an increased risk of locoregional failure and should undergo a further reresection or at least a very close follow up.     

Intra-laryngeal ectopic thyroid tissue. Report of one case and review of the literature

A Ectopic thyroid is any thyroid tissue not located in his normal anatomic situation. There have been described four general groups within the upper aerodigestive tract: lingual, sublingual, thyroglossal and intralaryngotracheal. Intralaryngotracheal thyroid tissue is rare and constitute 7 per cent of all intratracheal tumours, and it represents a problem of diagnosis and management. The controversy about the genesis of this tumours remains. There are two established theories: "the malformation theory" and "the ingrowth theory". These tumours affect more frequently adult female. Intralaryngotracheal thyroid have been mainly reported on the posterior-left wall of the trachea. The most common clinical feature is stridor due to progressive upper airway obstruction. Up to 75% of the intralaryngotracheal goiters are associated with and external goiter. This paper reports a case of ectopic subglotic thyroid in a 42 year-old-female. The embryology, diagnosis and management of this tumours are discussed.     

Modified spiral tracheoplasty after extensive window resection of trachea for advanced thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) occasionally invades tracheal cartilages. We adapted a reconstructive procedure “modified spiral tracheoplasty” to extensive tracheal defect after resection of locally advanced thyroid cancer. Extensive window resection of tracheal wall was performed in a 72-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man with PTC invading intraluminal trachea. Remaining stumps of trachea were separated from the esophageal wall and were rotated by 90 degrees in opposite directions. Posterior and lateral walls were anastomosed and tracheocutaneous fistula was created to prevent postoperative airway obstruction. Postoperative course was uneventful in both cases. Tracheocutaneous fistula was successfully closed 3 to 4 months after the initial surgery. Modified spiral tracheoplasty is a safe and useful method to recreate a framework of trachea after extensive window resection for advanced thyroid cancer.     

Survival rates in 548 patients with multiple neoplasms of the upper aerodigestive tract

The high incidence of multiple primary carcinomas occurring in the upper aerodigestive tract is well documented, with the accepted incidence being as high as 20–30%. The full clinical significance of this phenomenon is, however, only now becoming apparent. Herein 548 cases of documented multiple primary neoplasms, presenting initially in the upper aerodigestive tract, are evaluated retrospectively to establish the survival in these patients. The overall 5 year survival rate after diagnosis of the second neoplasm was found to be 22.3% which was significantly lower than a control group. The reasons for this poor survival are considered. These include: 1. the high incidence of second cancers developing in the lung and esophagus which have an extremely poor survival rate; 2. the frequent late diagnosis of the second lesions, with resultant advanced staging, and therefore poor prognosis; 3. inability to institute the appropriate therapy for these lesions due to the effects of previous radical therapy utilized for the first tumor. The clinical implications of this problem are discussed.     

Xantoma basilingual

Xanthomas are benign slow-growing dysmetabolism tumours consisting of histiocytes laden with lipid droplets of cholesteryl ester and, sometimes, triglycerides. Two forms of appearance have been identified: as dyslipidemic xanthomatosis with coexisting alteration of lipids, or as normolipidemic xanthomatosis without any lipid level alterations.Involvement of the upper area of aerodigestive tract by this entity is very rare and there are only a few cases in the literature.We report a case of dyslipidemic xanthomatosis with epiglottic and basilingual involvement that produced oropharyngeal foreign body sensation with dysphagia. Evolution was favourable after laser resection.