Malignant Tumors of the Thyroid : Clinical Concepts and Controversies

Thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon malignan­ ing the available non-human lines, as models cy. In the vast majority of patients, if treated for cell cycle studies and oncogene/anti­ appropriately, it is associated with a benign oncogene regulation, because they are unaware clinical course. Why then does it hold a con­ of the often fundamental dichotomy between tinuing fascination for so many physicians? thyroid malignancy and prognosis. Third, the The answer is probably directly dependent very nature of the benign clinical course has suggested to the major health research fund­ on the very benign nature of most thyroid ing agencies that thyroid cancer is not worthy maligllancies. While there are terrible excep­ of study in a time of scarce resources. tions, the follicular and papillary thyroid can­ Nothing could be further from the truth. cers behave in a way quite alien to "common" This gratifying clinical course is the very reason neoplasia, since they grow and metastasize why the study of human thyroid cancer has the slowly. We believe that if only we could under­ potential for contributing further to our fun­ stand such a transformed state, we would be able to learn a great deal about the normal and damental understanding of malignancy and, abnormal regulation of the cell cycle and im­ perhaps more importantly, the mechanisms by prove our understanding of cancer. which the human body can resist neoplastic However, recent advances in the biology of cells. Thyroid carcinoma is an uncommon malignancy in which most tumors are well-differentiated with a good prognosis. However, appropriate management is essential to achieve optimal therapeutic success, and considerable variability in the approach to management of these tumors exists. Malignant Tumors of the Thyroid: Clinical Concepts and Controversies analytically reviews the major topics relating to these malignancies. Authored by practicing clinical thyroidologists, the volume especially emphasizes clinical presentation and therapy, including management recommendations. Each chapter constitutes a complete clinical review of its subject with pertinent pathophysiological correlation and up-to-date and extensive bibliographies. The current and comprehensive information presented in this volume is designed to meet the needs of clinical specialists and fellows in thyroidology, endocrinology, clinical oncology, head and neck surgery, and pathology. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 1-15 Follicular Carcinoma of the Thyroid....Pages 16-31 Radiation-Induced Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 32-44 Thyroid Cancer in the Pediatric Patient....Pages 45-64 Surgery for Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 65-85 Thyroglobulin....Pages 86-99 Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 100-111 Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid....Pages 112-141 Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 142-161 Lymphoma of the Thyroid Gland....Pages 162-176 Carcinoma Metastatic to the Thyroid Gland....Pages 177-181 External Radiation Treatment for Thyroid Carcinoma....Pages 182-203 Chemotherapy of Advanced Thyroid Cancer....Pages 204-214 Back Matter....Pages 215-218