Background and Objectives : Thyroid carcinoma infrequently invades the upper aerodigestive tract. However, when invasion occurs, it is source of significant morbidity and mortality. If the tumor extends into the lumen of the upper aerodigestive
tract,
more critical problems can happen. There have been much debates about surgical therapy of thyroid carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive tract whether it should be radical or conservative. This study was designed to investigate the
intraluminal
extension of the upper aerodigestive tract by thyroid carcinoma and review the spectrum of radical resection. Materials and Methods : From 1996 to 2000, six patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the upper aerodigestive tract (intraluminal
involvement) were radically resected at Inha University Hospital. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The radical resection consisted of a total thyroidectomy and a neck dissection, combined with radical excisions that
included
three laryngectomies, two laryngopharyngoesophargectomies, and a case of partial pharyngectomy. The histologic types consisted of 5 papillary carcinoma and 1 anaplastic carcinoma. There was one preoperative mortality. Five patients received
radioactive
iodine therapy postoperatively. One patient died of nodal recurrence at the 13th postoperative month, and 4 patients are still alive with a follow-up period of 19-52 months. Conclusion : Based on our results of these six patients who had
intraluminal
involvement of the upper aerodigestive tract, we suggest that radical resection might be a worthwhile procedure. But it should be considered that radical resection might cause loss of functions in the head and neck organs, and therefore
possibilites of
conservative resection should be considered throughly during the preoperative examination.
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