Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma

Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma

This is one of the most aggressive malignancies in humans. Thankfully it is rare. It may develop de novo or present as dedif - ferentiation of a papillary or poorly di ff erentiated carcinoma. The disease is characterised by rapid growth, visceral invasion and distant metastases. The surgeon’s role in this disease is crucial. Thyroid lymphoma can be incorrectly diagnosed as anaplastic cancer and so biopsy is critical. This can be done using a core or open technique. Management is controversial because of the extremely poor prognosis. Occasional patients may present with disease limited to the neck, which appears resectable on imaging. Such patients seem to have a slightly better outcome if trea ted with aggressive surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy). However, in the majority , treatment is palliative. Those who develop airway symptoms are generally better managed without tracheostomy , - despite the potentially distressing mode of death. Undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinoma

This is one of the most aggressive malignancies in humans. Thankfully it is rare. It may develop de novo or present as dedif - ferentiation of a papillary or poorly di ff erentiated carcinoma. The disease is characterised by rapid growth, visceral invasion and distant metastases. The surgeon’s role in this disease is crucial. Thyroid lymphoma can be incorrectly diagnosed as anaplastic cancer and so biopsy is critical. This can be done using a core or open technique. Management is controversial because of the extremely poor prognosis. Occasional patients may present with disease limited to the neck, which appears resectable on imaging. Such patients seem to have a slightly better outcome if trea ted with aggressive surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy with/without chemotherapy). However, in the majority , treatment is palliative. Those who develop airway symptoms are generally better managed without tracheostomy , - despite the potentially distressing mode of death.