OBJECTIVETo explore the optimal management and analyze the prognostic factors for follicular thyroid carcinoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathological data of 119 patients with well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma treated in our hospital from 1970 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The overall survival (OS) rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Log rank and Cox regression analyses were used to identify the prognostic factors.

RESULTSThe 5- and 10-year OS rates were 81.1% and 66.7%, respectively. The 3- , 5- and 10-year cumulative distant metastasis rates were 27.4%, 29.6% and 35.9%, respectively. The age of ≥ 45 years old was one of the most important factors affecting survival rate (P < 0.05) and an independent factor for distant matastasis.

CONCLUSIONSFollicular thyroid carcinoma has some special features such as diffuse growth and vascular tumors thrombosis and with a relatively poor prognosis. The key measure to improve local control and prognosis is radical resection. Some aggressive management such as total thyroidectomy combined with (13)1I therapy and regular follow-up should be performed to improve the survival rate and to control postoperative distant metastasis for patients ≥ 45 years old.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; secondary ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical mode, recurrence and prognosis for patients with head and neck neurofibromas and explore their treatment strategies.

METHODSThe clinicopathological features, operation mode, prognosis and neural function of 46 patients with head and neck neurofibroma were analyzed retrospectively, and 41 of the cases were followed up for 24-170 months (median 74 months).

RESULTSAmong the 41 followed-up patients, 26 patients were cured and 15 patients were not cured (two died). The cure rate of the neurofibromas with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and the neurofibromas without NF1 were 42.9% and 85.0%, respectively (P = 0.005). The cure rate of localized, aggressive, diffuse and beaded neurofibromas were 100.0%, 46.6%, 40.0% and 66.7%, respectively (P = 0.009). The cure rate of radical resection (including expanding excision and complete resection) and partial resection were 73.5% and 14.3%, respectively (P = 0.011). The cure rates of expanding excision and partial resection were 80.0% and 14.3% (P = 0.029). The cure rates of complete resection and partial resection were 70.8% and 14.3%, respectively (P = 0.026). However, the cure rates of expanding excision and complete resection were not significantly different (P = 0.581). Multivariate Cox model analysis indicated that thoroughness of surgery was the independent risk factor for the prognosis for patients with head and neck neurofibromas.

CONCLUSIONSNeurofibroma is a kind of aggressive benign tumors. Some neurofibromas have a high recurrence rate and low recovery rate, and some nerves are essay to be injured in the operation. Lots of factors impact on the prognosis and recovery of the neural function. Therefore, operation opportunity and mode should be carefully selected.

Follow-Up Studies ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neurofibroma ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors