Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid: outcome of treatment in 16 patients

AIMS AND METHODS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is very rare and has a poor prognosis. Treatment and outcome were retrospectively analysed in a consecutive series of 16 patients treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital, with the aim of establishing guidelines for management. RESULTS: Twelve of the 16 patients had locoregional disease only at presentation and four had distant metastases. Eight of the 16 underwent surgery and four were given post-operative radiotherapy. Radiotherapy alone was used in six patients unsuitable for surgery. Median survival was 16 months. There were three long-term survivors; each had localized disease treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. Patients treated with surgery alone all developed local recurrence. Two of six patients treated with radiotherapy alone had a partial response but all subsequently developed progressive local disease. Chemotherapy was used in two patients with no response. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival is possible if disease is diagnosed early and is completely resected. Surgery should be followed by radical dose radiotherapy.