OBJECTIVETo investigate the management and prognosis of thyroid well-differentiated carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive tract.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of the management was performed done 62 patients with thyroid well-differentiated carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive tract. The main method of surgery was shaving excision, and the other means including partial thyrochondrectomy, total laryngectomy, sleeve tracheal resection, sternocleidomastoid myoperiosteal flap and myodermal flap reconstruction, or simply palliative excision. Some patients received postoperative radioactive isotope therapy and radiotherapy. All patients were followed-up for 2 to 15 years with an average of 6.5 years.

RESULTSThe best curative effect was proved in the patients with local invasion, with the lumen uninvolved and their locoregional control rate was 100.0% (17/17). And the second choice was in patients with more extensive involvement of the upper aerodigestive tract structures. For them, extensive surgical management was done attempting to remove all gross disease followed by reconstruction, their locoregional control rate was 87.5% (7/8). And the third place was designated to patients with local invasion for which shaving excision was performed even though minor residual disease was left, their locoregional control rate was 55.6% (5/9). The poorest result went to simple palliative excision. For 17 patients with minor residual tumor, the locoregional control rate of those who were given postoperative radioactive isotope therapy was significantly higher than those without.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the limits and degree of invasion in the upper aerodigestive tract by thyroid well-differentiated carcinoma, different ways of surgery is indicated. For patients with residual disease, radioactive isotope therapy should be used to improve the result and life quality. Advanced lesions should be given postoperative radio therapy.