Impact of therapeutic regional lymph node dissection for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland Journal Article


Authors: Ellenhorn, J. D. I.; Shah, J. P.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Impact of therapeutic regional lymph node dissection for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland
Abstract: Background. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland (MCT) is a disease commonly associated with regional metastases. Apart from surgical resection, there are limited therapeutic options for such patients. Given the variable and often prolonged survival of such patients, the benefit of surgical resection is difficult to evaluate. We have reviewed our experience with regional lymph node dissection for metastatic MCT. Methods. From Jan. 1, 1980, to Dec. 31, 1991, 36 patients underwent dissection of regional lymph node metastases for MCT at our institution. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons by log rank analysis. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results. Thirty-six patients (13 women), with a mean age of 48 years (range 16 to 78 years), underwent operation for clinically palpable or radiologically identified nodal disease. Median follow-up was 53 months, with an overall actuarial 5-year survival of 65%. Factors significantly associated with a poor outcome included the following: age greater than 40 years, mediastinal metastases, incomplete excision, extranodal disease, and failure to reduce the thyrocalcitonin level. Conclusions. The resection of metastatic MCT to regional lymph nodes can be associated with appreciable survival. Prognostic parameters are identified that adversely affect survival. © 1993.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; clinical article; treatment outcome; aged; survival analysis; clinical trial; lymph node metastasis; lymph node dissection; lymph nodes; calcitonin; age; neoplasm metastasis; neck; thyroid neoplasms; mediastinum; carcinoma, medullary; mediastinum metastasis; middle age; thyroid medullary carcinoma; prognosis; human; male; female; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Surgery
Volume: 114
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0039-6060
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1993-01-01
Start Page: 1078
End Page: 1082
Language: English
PUBMED: 8256210
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 March 2019 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Jatin P Shah
    722 Shah