Lethal Thyroid Carcinoma

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Abstract
• Forty-three patients who died of thyroid carcinoma (29 well-differentiated and 14 poorly differentiated tumors) were evaluated to define the parameters that affect the lethal nature of this tumor. Differentiated, limited extent of tumor and a young age at diagnosis correlated favorably with length of survival. Sex showed a trend in favor of female patients, while specific histologic characteristics and extent of resection showed no positive correlation. Based on these findings and a review of the literature, we recommend a radical approach in the management of localized, poorly differentiated tumors. For well-differentiated cancer, resection of the thyroid gland and the paratracheal, jugular, and upper mediastinal lymph nodes is advised. (Arch Otolaryngol 104:454-455, 1978)