Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer

  • Locally advanced differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) refers primarily to:
    • Gross macroscopic extension beyond the thyroid gland into adjacent cervical structures, including the:
      • Strap muscles, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), larynx, trachea, pharynx or esophagus, subcutaneous soft tissues, prevertebral fascia, or major cervical and mediastinal vessels
    • Among these structures, the strap muscles and RLN are most frequently involved, followed by the trachea, laryngotracheal junction, pharyngoesophageal tract, and major vessels
  • The clinical significance of ETE, however, is heterogeneous and is strongly influenced by the:
    • Extent of invasion
    • The specific structure involved
    • The presence of regional or distant metastatic disease
    • Tumor biology
    • The ability to achieve complete gross resection (Figure)
       

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