Use of tracheal stenting in the palliation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma: tertiary centre experience

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is rare but carries a poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma leads to tracheal compression, airway compromise and eventually death. Airway compromise, a particularly distressing symptom, can be palliated with tracheal stenting. A retrospective case note analysis wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2015-06, Vol.129 (6), p.568-571
Main Authors: Varadharajan, K, Mathew, R, Odutoye, B, Williamson, P, Madden, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Airway management
Airway Obstruction - diagnosis
Airway Obstruction - etiology
Airway Obstruction - surgery
Asymptomatic
Dyspnea
Female
Humans
Main Articles
Male
Medical prognosis
Metastasis
Middle Aged
Multidisciplinary teams
Neoplasm Staging
Palliative Care - methods
Patients
Radiation therapy
Retrospective Studies
Stents
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic - complications
Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic - diagnosis
Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic - surgery
Thyroid Neoplasms - complications
Thyroid Neoplasms - diagnosis
Thyroid Neoplasms - surgery
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Trachea - surgery
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Summary:Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is rare but carries a poor prognosis. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma leads to tracheal compression, airway compromise and eventually death. Airway compromise, a particularly distressing symptom, can be palliated with tracheal stenting. A retrospective case note analysis was conducted of patients diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma between July 2003 and July 2013. Twelve patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma were identified. Four patients underwent palliative tracheal stenting. Three patients had no dyspnoea at the time of stenting. Two stented patients subsequently developed dyspnoea secondary to stent migration; this was managed successfully with stent exchange. The other stented patient remained asymptomatic with regards to dyspnoea. All non-stented patients died with or from airway compromise. Tracheal stenting is a relatively safe and effective method for palliation of distressing airway symptoms in patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Early prophylactic tracheal stenting in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma may be an effective option to prevent development of airway compromise as the disease progresses.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215115001103