Chemotherapy with Doxorubicin in Progressive Medullary and Thyroid Carcinoma of the Follicular Epithelium

 

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Abstract

Twenty-two patients (mean age 61) with metastasizing, progressive, nonradioiodine-accumulating thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium were treated with doxorubicin between 2000 and 2005. Tumors were histologically classified as follicular in 15 patients (68%) and papillary in 7 patients (32%). In addition, nine patients (mean age 51 years) with medullary thyroid carcinoma were treated with doxorubicin between 1997 and 2005. Treatment consisted of doxorubicin: either 8 cycles of 15 mg/m² weekly or 3 cycles of 60 mg/m² every 3 weeks, repeated once, depending on response and side effects. The effect of therapy was evaluated by radiographic imaging, [¹⁸F] FDG-PET, and bone scans. In patients with papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma, 5% had a partial regression over 6 months, 42% had stable disease for a median of 7 months (range: 1-22), and 53% had continuous progression established over 5 months (range: 1-11). Three patients died before completing chemotherapy. In patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma, 11% had a partial regression over 6 months followed by stable disease for 3 months, 11% had stable disease over 7 months, and 79% demonstrated progressive disease established over 5 months (range: 2-12). Doxorubicin can be a valid chemotherapy option, especially for advanced or metastatic thyroid carcinoma of the follicular epithelium.

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Correspondence

Dr. A. Matuszczyk

Hufelandstr. 55

45122 Essen

Germany

Phone: +49/2017/23 32 35

Fax: +49/2017/23 59 72

Email: Anna.Matuszczyk@gmx.de